The Holly & the Ivy
Brief Description:
Christmas Eve has come, and the Gregory family come back to the old home, determined to have one last good Christmas all together. But the proximity only widens the cracks between Jenny, the responsible housekeeper; Michael, the happy-go-lucky but bitter soldier; Margaret, the gay and caustic fashionista; and their father, placid, innocent Parson Gregory. A stormy scene reveals the family’s dark secrets and threatens to tear them apart for good, destroying everyone's futures. Can Father Gregory give his family the truth, and will his children accept it?
(written by me)
Date: 1952
Genre: British Christmas drama
Running time: 1 hour 23 minutes
Cast:
Ralph Richardson (Rev. Martin)
Celia Johnson (Jenny)
Margaret Leighton (Margaret)
Denholm Elliott (Michael)
John Gregson (David)
Hugh Williams (Richard)
Margaret Halstan (Aunt Lydia)
Maureen Delany (Aunt Bridget)
Director: George More O’Ferrell
Production company: London Films
Based on: The Holly & the Ivy by Wynyard Browne
Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 4/5
Post-WWII rural England. Yes, yes, a splendid aesthetic and setting! Most of the film took place in the house, however, which was slightly less fun. Still—a good show.
Characters: 4/5
Definitely unique and striking characters here! Bridget and Lydia were excellent sidekicks and foils. I really enjoyed how sarcastic and pessimistic Bridget was (while still obviously loving), and how romantic and optimistic Lydia was—they made a great pair. David was a good fellow, and I loved Jenny—so sweet and responsible! I very much related to her position and character. Mike was a bit of a scapegrace but he was all right, and Margaret—well, Margaret had issues but she was a great character and I really liked her arc. I wasn’t a fan of Richard but he did well enough, and as for Rev. Martin, I felt sorry for him and respected him. He did well.
Plot: 4/5
This film was captioned on Archive as “a heartwarming tale of an English minister and his family reunited at Christmas time. Their story includes a remembrance of their World War II trials.” I wouldn’t exactly call it heartwarming, and it barely touched WWII—nor were the WWII points trials. More like experiences. At the start of the film, I got caught up in Jenny & David’s pathetic romance and eagerly awaited their liberation while worrying about Rev. Martin. Mike I didn’t sympathize with too much at first, and I disliked Margaret. When I got to know Margaret’s story, though, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for her, even if she showed little to no remorse. As a pastor’s daughter, I was intrigued by the film’s theme and very interested to see where it went. It was all very well handled, and I really liked the point it made. While everything didn’t get a perfect-little-bow ending, it was well resolved and I appreciated how the open ending left so many possibilities open.
Romance: 4/5
David & Jenny were super sweet, although of course Mike’s on-the-sly relationship didn’t have my approval.
Theme/Message/Topics: 4/5
The point of this film was how the Gregory children felt it impossible to let their father know of their sins and struggles because of his position as a man of the cloth. Their idea to shield him from any shock or hurt, and their desire to avoid any lecture, led them to hide their real selves and act a respectable character. As a pastor’s daughter myself, I understood their mentality—not because my father needs to be “shielded” from the real world but because churches’ pressure to be perfect as a PK is strong. I loved how the reverend combatted that idea in a few well-spoken sentences. I was also touched by the comments about how people struggle to accept a preacher or be themselves in front of him, and I kind of wish that had been addressed as well?
Content: 3/5 (medium)
Drinking—two characters get drunk (strongly condemned). Lots of kissing (most of it between an engaged couple). SPOILER: woman gets pregnant out of wedlock. END OF SPOILER
Overall: 4.5/5
This could be a 5/5, but I want to save that for my very favourite films. However, I deeply enjoyed this and found it a very unique, thought-provoking, and well done film, and I will probably be rewatching it!
And now I can’t stop singing The Holly & the Ivy. Also I’m sure it has great significance with the plot but I haven’t figured it out yet…
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