This slice of life film is set in a boarding house in a neighborhood in London just before WWII. Sprinkled throughout the home and the film are a wide variety of strange and interesting characters. So why do I only give the film a 5? Well, despite some clever writing and characters, the movie hinges on one character--a young idiot car thief (Richard Attenborough) who accidentally kills a lady. He clearly might not have meant to kill her but he was responsible for her death and he is no angel. Yet, inexplicably, the last portion of the film is all about a petition to obtain clemency for him. My feelings about this big portion of the film is who cares?! Had he been more likable or innocent, then it would have worked. As it is, the film is seeking empathy for someone simply not deserving it...and it weakens the entire film as a result. Not a terrible film and it is interesting, but ultimately it fails due to so much in the movie resting on this criminal case.
Review of Dulcimer Street
