The Family Way

The big day has arrived and you're to wed, a union with young Jenny, conjugal bed, a honeymoon in Majorca (cancelled at the last minute), she really is a corker, but there's things spinning around inside your head. You're father doesn't help as he's a boor, while living in his house is such a chore, no escape on the horizon, and you're struggling to enliven, perform the ritual of love, ardour, l'amour. And now the world has been informed of your shortcoming, about the problem you've been having with your plumbing, you feel belittled and enraged, life was much easier when engaged, it's so unsavoury, unpleasant and unbecoming.

The trials and tribulations of a newly married couple and their irritating and interfering parents.

There is a gem of a scene in this movie when the parents of the newly married couple meet to discuss the newlywed's problem in "getting their marriage started". Somehow the subject gets around to Billy, a fellow who is talked about but does not appear in this film. Although the two fathers are too dense to know it, the audience figures out something important which happened concerning Billy.

The closing scene is also great when Ezra Fitton makes two observations which are both sad and funny.

I first saw 'The Family Way" when it was first released. I enjoyed it then. I found it funny and sad at the same time. My date thought it was rather boring.

Thirty years later I saw it again on Cable-TV and I've even recorded it so I can share it with my wife (not the woman I dated way back when). I've read many of the comments made by previous posters and I agree with

most of them.

It is a very funny and very moving story. The young couple have problems from the very start: the "prank" on their wedding night and the disappointment the day after. Having to live with his parents because they can't get a "flat" or anything else would tend to put a crimp in anyone's love life.

The final confrontation and resolution between husband and wife is simply great. The addition of Beethoven at the end of that scene underscores the sense of victory over all the adversity. Benny Hill couldn't have done it any better and I think he did try...

John Mills clearly steals any scene he's in, even from the newly weds. The final scene in the movie isn't to be missed. It's what he doesn't know that makes it soo good.

At one time I had the novel based on the film, but it's long lost.

The sound track, written by Paul McCarthy, is great. If only he'd written more like that...

This film, although made before i was born is still one of my favorite films, Sir John Mills shows his best ever performance, i don't need to tell you the story as you've read the reviews above but the ending is still one of the most powerful i have ever seen, and humbles me to know its only words, fantastic.

Young British working-class newlyweds are having trouble consummating their marriage whilst living with the in-laws, and it gets even worse when neighbors start speculating about the groom's "performance". A realistic play on a modern-day situation that is still timeless. The elders in this film are especially amazing, their roles full of dimension, though everyone here excels with the solid, no-frills screenplay. This is one of Hayley Mills' best movies, as she exhibits a strong, self-assured presence and lends nuances to every scene (she's captivating). Paul McCartney contributed the background score, and his main theme is lovely. A fine film. *** from ****