The Dressmaker **** (1988, Joan Plowright, Billie Whitelaw, Jane Horrocks, Tim Ransom, Pete Postlethwaite) – Classic Movie Review 12,098

Stand by for acting fireworks! Director Jim O’Brien’s 1988 British drama film The Dressmaker is set in England during the Second World War, and stars Joan Plowright, Billie Whitelaw, Jane Horrocks, Tim Ransom, and Pete Postlethwaite.

Plowright and Whitelaw play middle-aged sisters who share a claustrophobic house in wartime Liverpool with their fragile 17-year-old niece Horrocks, who brings home an American soldier. When she won’t go to bed with him, he has a fling with the younger aunt (Whitelaw).

Beryl Bainbridge’s fine 1973 novel is transferred to the screen with faultless acting from the formidable performers and a powerfully realistic production. There’s plenty of drama and a shocking climax.

Whitelaw was joint best actress in the London Evening Standard film awards.

Also in the cast are Pippa Hinchley, Rosemary Martin, Tony Haygarth, Sam Douglas, Bert Parnaby, Lorraine Ashbourne and Margi Clarke.

The screenplay is by John McGrath.

The cast are: Joan Plowright as Nellie, Billie Whitelaw as Margo, Pete Postlethwaite as Jack, Jane Horrocks as Rita, Tim Ransom as Wesley, Pippa Hinchley as Val, Rosemary Martin as Mrs Manders, Tony Haygarth as Mr Manders, Michael James Reed as Chuck, Sam Douglas as Corporal Zawadski, Bert Parnaby as Mr Barnes, Lorraine Ashbourne as Factory Girl, Mandy Walsh as Factory Girl, Margi Clarke as Shopwoman, Andrew Moorcroft as Butcher’s Boy, and Marie Jelliman as Mrs O’Toole.

It is made by British Screen Productions and Channel Four Films.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 12,098

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