The Manhood of Edward Robinson

Totally different mystery. I like to watch this in winter and do every couple of years. It was originally a short story by Agatha Christy, so true to the story it is short with a simple plot. I enjoy movies where there is some fundamental positive change in the protagonist's character and that happens here. For example Enchanted April or Cold Comfort Farm. This is a great couple's movie. An antique sports car enthusiast would love this movie. I think it is great to see such a good looking car for so little money. Although one suspects a light rear wheel drive car would be much harder to drive in the snow than it was portrayed. Ther is something for just about everyone in this movie, unless you are expecting a blood and murder who-done-it.

For more than half of the running time this episode was rather boring and uninvolving, and it was undoubtedly becoming the weakest one of the series. But then, all of a sudden, there comes an ingenious and unexpected plot-twist and you nevertheless close off the viewing with a positive feeling. I guess that's the magic of Agatha Christie. Every single tale she ever wrote is worth reading, and every single adaptation of her work is worth watching.

The greatest thing about "The Manhood of Edward Robinson" is how misleading and yet humane and real the character drawings are. Titular Edward is a weak, insecure and often rather irritating man, but you gradually develop sympathy for him. His wife, Maud, is supposedly bossy and cold, but she's actually a very sweet and integer woman. The "other" woman, Noreen, is introduced as a gold-digger but she also turns out to be a lovable lady. Moral of the story: whether with murder mysteries or love stories, Mrs. Christie always succeeds in fooling her audiences.

Immediately, I registered that I did not like this actor nor his character. But soon, the character began to get with it. And, more than immediately, I liked his fiancé still less -- a whining, rather hen pecking type with her mother in tow as part of the equation. NOT! However, to the viewer's relief and enjoyment, this rather hapless fellow steps out of his small space, makes a decision on his own, has an absurd and delightful adventure, and becomes fueled with enough confidence to step up to the controlling fiancé and her intervening mother. Someone showed confidence in him (the society girl) and thus, he gained confidence in himself.

Right ho! and fun along the way. Jolly good show.

Edward Robinson dreams of buying a fast car but does not have the means to do so. His fiance Maud wants him to count the pennies and not be a spendthrift.

When Edward wins five hundred pounds in a magazine contest, he buys his dream sports car and goes on a night out. He gets mixed up with glamorous Lady Noreen and a necklace that people are pursuing her for.

Edward himself gets mistaken for a thief but the adventure gives him a new edge to his relationship with Maud.

This is an unusual Agatha Christie story, it is more of a slight caper enlivened by the leads Nicholas Farrell and Cherie Lunghi, who get to dance the Tango and Paso Doble which is beautifully directed. Rupert Everett pops up in an early role playing a posh boy no less. Talk about typecasting!