Surprisingly good, lingers in the mind. In some ways it is like a Hitchcock movie, not least for its focus on the dark side of authority but also for being a lean, well-crafted story. The film inhabits a tight, claustrophobic world but within that there is a full and satisfying spectrum of events which move comfortably from stuffiness to subtle comedy to psychological drama to action and ultimately to something quite moving. The characters and tension between them are more realistic, subtle and complex than are often found in movies of this era. Perrin's awkwardness in pursuit of love, for example, is performed as hilariously as it is heartbreaking. His repressed jealousy and affronted relationship with Mr Traill reminded me of David Brent and Neil Godwin in 'The Office', or Martin and Paul in 'Ever Decreasing Circles', darkly funny, very watchable. The film is well-paced, intelligent, even a little shocking at times, and just gets better as it goes along. Fast becoming one of my favourite films of the 1940s. A minor but rather powerful gem.
Review of Mr. Perrin and Mr. Traill
