LIFE AT THE TOP

UK, 1965, 117 Minutes, Black and White.
Laurence Harvey, Jean Simmons, Honor Blackman, Michael Craig, Donald Wolfit.
Directed by Ted Kotcheff.

Life at the Top continues the exploits of Joe Lampton who made his appearance in Room at the Top. Laurence Harvey repeats his performance from the original film from the novel by John Braine. The first 'Top' film was a striking success with the direction of Jack Clayton and the Oscar-winning performance of Simone Signoret. It was also considered daring and frank for its time, 1959. This film reflects the atmosphere of the 60s and a gradual permissiveness in presentation. The plot and the implications of the plot are certainly permissive. Laurence Harvey as Joe has reached the top, but his marriage with Susan has cracked. Susan is played by Jean Simmons. Donald Wolfitt repeats his performance from the earlier film. This kind of film was very popular in the late 60s and is reflected in such films as The Arrangement, I'll Never Forget What's'isname, The Reckoning. The direction is by Canadian Ted Kotcheff who has not made so many films but has made interesting ones like Wake in Fright, Billy Two Hats, The Apprenticeship of Daddy Kravitz, Fun With Dick and Jane.

1. The meaning and tone of the title? The kind of life, the significance of The Top ? the place in the town, the top of ambitions? The sense of achievement in the title, the irony in what is portrayed?

2. The tone of the credits - the black and white photography, the music? The contrast between Joe and Brown? Joe with his ambitions and rising to the top? Brown with his age and medical examination? The generation contrast? The irony with Brown of life at the top?

3. How did the film portray Joe? Was he in any way sympathetic? Pathetic? What had he achieved? His work on the report, his wanting to be on the board, his attitude in the way he spoke to Brown and to Susan, the change that had come over him in ten years, the effect of memories and their dying, his skill in his work, his relationship with Brown, with the Browns, his working, getting sales, his manipulation in getting money from the kick-off, Mrs. Brown's treatment of him as a 'treasure', his defiance of the Browns, his awareness of lack of qualifications, his mock humility and return at the end? What had he achieved at the top ? the significance of his being behind the prison? looking gate at the end?

4. How well did the film portray the relationship between Joe and Susan ? the background of their marriage, the forced marriage, Joe's rise to the top, Susan's pregnancy, his relationship with the children? Harry's aloofness and being looked after by Brown, Joe's love for Barbara, his lack of relationship with his children, his reaction to the affair, his hostility towards Mark, his reaction towards George Aisgill and his revenge, the impact of his leaving on Susan, her loving him, her asking him to return, the cunning that Joe used in his relationship to bring Susan back? Did they really love each other? Who was the more admirable partner?

5. The relationship between Joe and Nora? What kind of woman was Nora? In her professional work and the sequences showing this, her reputation in the town, her calling Joe 'treasure'? What kind of hold did she have on him? Why did he depend on her? Why did she love him? Did she mother him? How well did she put the alternative to him? Why did he leave with her? The falling apart of their relationship in London? Her not wanting to be held? Joe's holding her? The society gap between them? Was she right in her decision to leave? Was there any love between the two?

6. Comment on the presentation of the Browns - Brown and his self-made achievement, his illness, the question of merging, his shrewdness in business, his life at home, society, with his wife? The truth when Joe told him about himself and its impact on him? Why did he allow Joe back at the end? How unscrupulous was he? was he in any way likeable? In his love for Susan and Harry?

7. What was the point of Mark and Sybil in the film? Their friendship with Joe and Susan? The upper crust background, Mark as a contrast in background to Joe, Sybil and her disillusionment and drinking, the dogs? Her relationship with Susan and the truth about Mark's affairs? Why did Susan have the affair with Mark? The effect of Joe's discovery of them?

8. The importance of Aisgill in the film? The memories of his dead wife, his hatred for Joe, revenge, his place in the council, the criticism of him in his ambitions for the poor estate?

9. The importance of Joe and his running for the council in the film? His election meeting, his drunkenness, Nora's questioning? His reaction on election, the society meeting to congratulate him? His being expected to be on site? The sequence of his visit to the site? The impact that people made on him and the only way of responding was to use them against Brown? The impact of his rebel speech?

10. Why did Joe have so many grudges? His background of class, skills, self-made ambitions, the chips on his shoulders? How typical of his type was he? What drove him?

11. The importance of the London sequences after his leaving and confrontation with Brown, with Susan's devotion? The interviews for jobs - the preparation in having met the boss, the overture for the job, the dealings with the second man, the comment of the business deals at the background of strippers etc.? Their ignoring Joe? The ordeal of the interview and his lack of qualifications? His having to take lesser jobs? How did the film and Laurence Harvey's acting portray the effect of this on him? The sophistication gap with Nora's friends?

12. How effective and important was the collage of his memories ? even from the film Room at the Top? What insight gain from this? The return of Susan to complete this?

13. How cynical was his return? His sense of achievement? Bossing people around? And yet in prison?

14. How good a film of social observation was this? Of modern England? Of human relationships? Of human drives?