Betrayal (1983)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

David Hugh Jones

Writer:

Harold Pinter (writer)

Release Date:

19 February 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

In every life...for every love...with every trust...there is a risk of Betrayal.

Plot:

Pinter's semi-autobiographical play examining the surprise attraction, shy first steps, gradual flowering...

Plot Keywords:

Extramarital Affair | Adultery | Nonlinear Timeline | Reverse Chronology | Backwards

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Jeremy Irons	...	Jerry
Ben Kingsley	...	Robert
Patricia Hodge	...	Emma
Avril Elgar	...	Mrs. Banks
Ray Marioni	...	Waiter
Caspar Norman	...	Sam
Chloe Billington	...	Charlotte Age 5
Hannah Davies	...	Charlotte Age 9
Michael König	...	Ned Age 2
Alexander McIntosh	...	Ned Age 5

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | Finland:K-8 | USA:R | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Horizon Pictures (II)

Trivia:

Helen Mirren and Patricia Hodge were both tested for the role of Emma. Sam Spiegel eventually chose Hodge because Mirren's "butt was too big for the part".

Quotes:

Robert: [after his wife tells him that she's been having an affair with his best friend] Where does it take place? Must be a bit awkward. I mean we've got two kids, he's got two kids not to mention a wife.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Seinfeld: The Betrayal (#9.8)" (1997)

Well-acted and well-written but still gimmicky

Kingsley is masterful as Robert, the successful publisher, who puts in delectable perspective the fact that he is also a feckless and cuckolded husband. Patricia Hodge, a beautiful and talented British actress whose impressive body of works rarely make it to this side of the pond, is utterly perfect as the embodiment of Emma. Jeremy Irons is fine as well, although not quite as outstanding -- and that may say it all right there.

The dialogue is pithy, ironic, sardonic, dry, brittle, and pointed -- vintage Pinter. But, the central plot device of starting at the latest point in time and have successive scenes show what came earlier, seems a bit forced and gimmicky -- although the excellence of Patricia Hodge's eyes in the final scene makes all of it worthwhile.

Altogether, I'd rate it 7 of 10 -- certainly worth seeing.