This Sporting Life (1963)

This Sporting Life is one of the landmark films of the British New Wave of the 60's. It was one of the first starring roles for both, Richard Harris and Rachel Roberts and one of the first films directed by Lindsay Anderson.
It's the story-almost sweat dream of a young rugby player(Harris), his burgeoning fame & fortune and his torrid relationship with his landlady (Roberts).
It's a testament to the writing that the story of sporting ambition and success still stands up and it could apply to any athlete today. Well I say that but Harris just kinda shows an interest in playing professional rugby and the club basically let him. I mean he is obviously very good at the game but he doesn't have to come up through the ranks or train from near birth.
But I digress, Harris is completely convincing as this sulky Irish Brando tossing the oversized egg around. He's a guy basically excited by his future and the opportunities in store. He's more than happy to share his life with landlord/widow Roberts and her kids but concerns about her neighbours preconceptions stop her from the happiness so within her grasp. It's hard to believe that this was the school of thought about 50years ago. I wouldn't even recoginise MY neighbours if I passed them in the street, let alone give a jot about the way I conduct myself. That said, my neighbours need to WASH THEY ASSS but I digress.
This role was no stranger to Roberts; she was very much the queen of the kitchensink dramas of the 50's, playing the perennial housewife. I have a huge love for Rachel Roberts. She was married to Rex Harrison and suffered terribly with what was probably, bipolar as well as issues with alcohol. It's very sad to read about. Someone should make a biopic because she simply embodied the graceful strong female and she had such and dramatic life.
So as i say amazing acting is on show here but it's also brilliantly written by David Storey and directed by Lindsay Anderson. Anderson is one of the best British directors. He was so facsinated by our class system. His other gold-plated classic 'if?' is so indicative of Britishness, strong and methodical but mischievous and This Sporting Life is no different. Sure it's dramatic and tense but there's a lot of fun going on and vicariously enjoyed these local stars lifestyles.
The main thing that has always put me off older films is that I (wrongly) assume they won't be relevent but this film in its tone and themes are very relevant except the role of women in local society but that's just progress...