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Adapted from J.R.
Ackerley’s novel, the late great Alan Bates stars as Frank Meadows, a
lonely, middle-aged bureaucrat whose male lover Johnny (a young Gary
Oldman) betrays him for the love of the openly conniving Megan (Frances
Barber). When Frank agrees reluctantly to make sure Johnny’s dog Evie is
well cared for while Johnny is in prison, Frank finds himself starting
to relate to Evie, care for her even, as a means of relating and growing
closer to Johnny even more while he is away. Evie represents the
connection that binds Frank and Johnny with one another.
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A film
filled with plenty of charm and wit, made enjoyable by the
cast led by Bates, one of the finest actors from the
explosion of European talent in the 1960’s (which also
included Peter O’Toole, Albert Finney, Richard Harris and
Michael Caine) who gives a gentle, likable performance as
Frank, who finds true happiness from his time spent with
Evie. Oldman doesn’t have much screen time as Johnny, but
when he does appear, you see glimpses of the smoldering
intensity and passion that has made him one of the most
watchable (and underrated) actors of the last three decades.
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A real treat from the
cast is the lovely Liz Smith, who some may recognize from her work as
Grandma Georgina in Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from
2005. Here she is absolutely winning in her turn as Johnny’s devoted, in
spite of all he has done, mother Millie. I viewed We Think The World Of
You on “Watch Now” on Netflix, which if you haven’t taken advantage of,
please do, because it is wonderful. There are so many movies to see on
that site, little gems that you may not be able to find anywhere else.
As for this film, it is available on VHS (some people still have
them…myself included) online, but hopefully will be made available on
DVD in the future.
While not an incredibly
entertaining film, it is a vivid portrait of humanity…not just in the
treatment of animals, but of people. It may not be for everybody, but it
is a film that everybody should see.
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