Hobson's Choice (1954)

Hobson’s Choice (1954) – Henry Hobson is a successful bootmaker with just the life he’s always wanted.  Except that his three daughters all want to escape him through marriage, which would require him paying dowries.  So Henry says “No”.  He soon has to face the consequences of that decision.

Directed by David Lean                            Starring – Charles Laughton, John Mills, Brenda de Banzie

Charles Laughton made a very successful career out of playing irascible characters.  None may be grumpier than Henry Hobson.  The truth of the matter is that he’s reached the point where he’s not actually doing much to continue the success of his store.  His daughter Maggie (de Banzie) keeps the books and pays the bills, while Will Mossop (Mills) does most of the bootwork that customers keep coming back to get.  Henry spends his days being waited on, drinking and sleeping.  Eventually, Maggie leads a revolt that sets Henry’s world on its ear.

Laughton is brilliant here, as are de Banzie and Miles.  These three carry the story.  The story line between the daughter and the bootwright is handled with wonderful sublty as Maggie instills her belief in Will into the man himself.  The movie carries us from drama to comedy to psychological examinations of Henry as his life comes crashing down.  Small wonder it won the BAFTA for best movie that year.

This is not the kind of movie we normally associate with director David Lean.  It lacks the signature sweep of movies like Lawrence of Arabia, Dr. Zhivago or A Passage to India.  What you do get is meticulous attention to detail and superlative performances from his leads.

Fans of the British comedy Fawlty Towers should keep thier eyes on the younger daughters, one of whom is played by Prunella Scales, who would play the wife  in the series later in her career.  This is one of Scales earliest roles and she’s lovely.

A “Hobson’s Choice” refers to choice that doesn’t truly offer a choice.  The phrase is commonly attached to the story of an actual livery owner in England who told folks that needed to rent a horse they could any one they wanted as long as it was the one nearest the door.  Henry Ford’s legendary offer on Model T’s (You can get it in any color you want, as long as it’s black) would be the same idea.

Why I Liked It: Laughton at his best. Dancing the line between buffoon and cruelty.

Why You Will Like It : Watching the daughters, led by Maggie, very efficiently taking down the family dictator is still remarkably satisfying.

Rating – ***** Highest Recommendation