Richard’s Things ** (1980, Liv Ullmann, Amanda Redman, Tim Pigott-Smith) – Classic Movie Review 10,526

Liv Ullmann comes to Britain to play Kate, who loses her husband in an accident and finds out that he was having an affair with Josie (Amanda Redman). The two women comfort each other, and then begin a lesbian relationship. 

Director Anthony Harvey’s 1980 British drama film Richard’s Things is scripted by Frederic Raphael (Oscar-winner for Darling), who adapts his own 1973 novel as a vehicle for Liv Ullmann.

The great Norwegian actress is unfortunately at a bit of a loss in Britain as Kate Morris, a woman who loses her husband in an accident and finds out that he was having a secret long-term affair with Josie (Amanda Redman).

The two women meet and are understandably awkward together at first, but then comfort each other, and then, blow me down, Josie (Redman) falls for Kate (Ullmann) and they begin a lesbian relationship.

Richard’s Things is a lurid melodrama, none too well handled, but it is watchable and of course Ullmann is the mistress of filmic gloom.

Also in the cast are Tim Pigott-Smith, Elizabeth Spriggs, David Markham, Peter Burton, Mark Eden as Richard Morris, Margaret Lacey, Ian McDiarmid, Sally Watkins, James Galloway, Franco De Rosa, Michael Maloney, John Vine, Rose Power, Gwen Taylor, and Art Malik.

Richard’s Things is directed by Anthony Harvey, runs 104 minutes, is made by Southern Pictures, is released by New World Pictures, is written by Frederic Raphael, based on a novel by Frederic Raphael, is shot in colour, 35 mm and Panaflex by Freddie Young, is produced by Mark Shivas, and is scored by Georges Delerue.

Anthony Harvey also directed Ullmann in The Abdication.

The cast are Liv Ullmann as Kate Morris, Amanda Redman as Josie, Peter Burton as Colonel, Tim Pigott-Smith as Peter, Elizabeth Spriggs as Mrs Sells, David Markham as Morris, Mark Eden as Richard Morris, Gwen Taylor as Margaret, John Vine as Doctor Mace, Michael Maloney as Bill, Tracey Childs as Joanna, Margaret Lacey as Miss Beale, Ian McDiarmid, Sally Watkins, James Galloway, Franco De Rosa, Michael Maloney, John Vine, Rose Power, and Art Malik.

Norwegian actress and film director Liv Ullmann (born 16 December 1938) is renowned as one of the all-time greatest European actresses. She speaks Swedish, English and other European languages in addition to her native Norwegian.

Anthony Harvey (3 June 1930 – 23 November 2017).

Tim Pigott-Smith, OBE (13 May 1946 – 7 April 2017).

Mark Eden [Douglas John Malin] (14 February 1928 – 1 January 2021),

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,526

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