I’ve never really seen Paul Rogers own a part anything like as strongly as he portrays the curmudgeonly old “Max” in this rather bleakest of family get-togethers. He shares their London home with his brother “Sam” (Cyril Cusack) and his two sons. “Lenny” (Ian Holm) looks like he belongs in the Gestapo, bedecked in his black leather coat, and he’s got the malevolent streak to boot. “Joey” (Terence Rigby) isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer; a would-be boxer and usually quite oblivious to the prevailing toxicity amongst this family. Then a new sparring partner arrives. The prodigal brother “Teddy” (Michael Jayston) has returned from his professorial job in the USA to visit, and to introduce his new wife “Ruth” (Vivien Merchant). Now she is no shrinking violet in the face of this onslaught of familial obnoxiousness and so, little battle commence! Now there is a great deal of dialogue here, but it’s worth sticking with as Harold Pinter unveils a characterful exhibition of ghastliness, tempered by some dark humour, all delivered by actors who really seem to be relishing their roles. Once “Ruth” gets her stall up and running, and proves she is no slouch at playing their game, the film comes alive with a compelling blend of bullying, ranting and even a grudging degree of respect from unlikely quarters. Sure, it exaggerates the dysfunctional elements of their relationships for dramatic effect, but it does so in a remarkably potent fashion. The style of photography is unnervingly disjointed, but deliberately so and it unsettles every bit as much as the dialogue. Their games are about power and about everyone knowing who has it amongst this small household and it all simmers away cleverly with Holm and Merchant on great form too. This sees a writer, director and cast working together at their best and is something to really get your teeth into.
