I have mixed feelings about the film, which concerns wealthy Diana Wentworth, played by the delightful and convincing Valerie Hobson, who is left alone after her husband, Michael, played by Michael Redgrave, who happens to be an MP, goes off to war. His five year absence however clearly indicates he's been killed, and although she is emotionally distraught, she is eventually coaxed into taking an active role in politics to overcome her grief by becoming an MP for her ex husband's constituency. Her new career not only leads to a new found confidence and purpose in life, but also to finding romance along the way with a long time family friend, Richard, played by James McKechnie. The dialogue is credible, with Hobson, along with 'nanny' played by the indomitable Flora Robson, dominating the film by their strong acting. However, when Michael, the husband returns, he soon realises that his wife is not the same kind of obedient woman he'd left behind when he left to go overseas. The film loses its way at this point and becomes somewhat dour and turgid, as husband and wife try to redefine their roles to the new circumstances of peacetime. Redgrave's return and his embittered feelings caused by his long time absence from the family home reduces the sparkle and vitality of the storyline. 'The new woman' now loses her poise, as she has to play second fiddle to her husband by pandering to his emotional needs. Nevertheless, although a dated film, it does highlight the problems of husbands returning from the war and the problems of 'picking up the pieces' of married life. Overall, it's a decent film, but I found Michael Redgrave rather too stiff and starchy in the role of the long lost husband! His character frankly is uninteresting and rather dull and his constant bleating overshadows the film.
Review of The Years Between
