{"id":5847,"date":"2009-05-21T10:51:17","date_gmt":"2009-05-21T17:51:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5847"},"modified":"2021-01-16T13:55:10","modified_gmt":"2021-01-16T20:55:10","slug":"pumpkin-eater-the-1964","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5847","title":{"rendered":"Pumpkin Eater, The (1964)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;There&#8217;s life beyond birth.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Poster-186x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-22876\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Poster-186x300.jpg 186w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Poster-79x128.jpg 79w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Poster-634x1024.jpg 634w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Poster.jpg 744w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 186px) 100vw, 186px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA twice-married woman (Anne Bancroft) with many children marries a screenwriter (Peter Finch), but their happiness is short-lived due to his chronic infidelity.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Anne Bancroft Films<\/li>\n<li>Flashback Films<\/li>\n<li>Infidelity<\/li>\n<li>Jack Clayton Films<\/li>\n<li>James Mason Films<\/li>\n<li>Maggie Smith Films<\/li>\n<li>Marital Problems<\/li>\n<li>Mental Breakdown<\/li>\n<li>Peter Finch Films<\/li>\n<li>Pregnancy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nHarold Pinter&#8217;s adaptation of <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Penelope_Mortimer\">Penelope Mortimer<\/a>&#8216;s semi-autobiographical novel about infidelity and childbearing is relentlessly bleak but oddly mesmerizing despite its gloomy trajectory. Pinter&#8217;s lean screenplay &#8212; it&#8217;s been called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeout.com\/movies\/the-pumpkin-eater\">&#8220;fastidious&#8221;<\/a> in its faithfulness to Mortimer&#8217;s text &#8212; wastes no time in taking us from one phase of Bancroft&#8217;s pregnancy-filled, marriage-hopping existence to the next: when we first meet Bancroft&#8217;s Jo Armitage, she&#8217;s (seemingly) happily married to a violinist (Richard Johnson), with rambunctious kids all around:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Johnson.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Johnson-1024x577.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"361\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Johnson-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Johnson-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Johnson-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Johnson-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Johnson-1536x865.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Johnson-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Johnson.png 1817w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Her decision to leave Johnson and marry Finch is never explained (is it love at first sight?), but the downward spiral that quickly ensues &#8212; as Finch&#8217;s career takes off and their marriage hits the rocks &#8212; makes it clear that her desire for an idyllic family existence will become more and more remote. <\/p>\n<p>While we can&#8217;t help wanting to understand more about Jo&#8217;s addiction to having children (which plays a pivotal role in the dissolution of her marriage to Finch), Bancroft&#8217;s performance is nonetheless impressive, and she deservedly earned an Oscar nomination for her work; she embodies her depressive London housewife so fully that it&#8217;s easy to forget she&#8217;s Brooklyn-born rather than British. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Cinematography2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Cinematography2-1024x585.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"366\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63752\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Cinematography2-1024x585.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Cinematography2-300x171.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Cinematography2-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Cinematography2-768x439.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Cinematography2-1536x877.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Cinematography2-473x270.png 473w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Cinematography2.png 1805w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Peter Finch as her philandering husband is appropriately duplicitous, while both James Mason and Maggie Smith are deliciously unforgettable in supporting roles. While it&#8217;s rarely enjoyable to watch chronic infidelity played out on-screen &#8212; and <em>The Pumpkin Eater<\/em> is no exception to this rule &#8212; the film remains must-see viewing simply for Bancroft&#8217;s memorable central performance. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Interestingly, while director Jack Clayton helmed several provocative films about the complex lives of children (<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=4210\"><em>The Innocents<\/em><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3066\"><em>Our Mother&#8217;s House<\/em><\/a>), Bancroft&#8217;s kids aren&#8217;t given much of a role here; it&#8217;s all about the dysfunctional adults instead. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Anne Bancroft as Jo Armitage<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Bancroft.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Bancroft-1024x581.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"363\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63745\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Bancroft-1024x581.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Bancroft-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Bancroft-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Bancroft-768x436.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Bancroft-1536x872.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Bancroft-476x270.png 476w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Bancroft.png 1809w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Peter Finch as Jake Armitage<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Finch.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Finch-1024x577.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"361\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63744\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Finch-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Finch-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Finch-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Finch-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Finch-1536x866.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Finch-479x270.png 479w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Finch.png 1815w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>James Mason as Bob Conway<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Mason2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Mason2-1024x577.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"361\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63743\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Mason2-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Mason2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Mason2-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Mason2-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Mason2-1536x865.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Mason2-479x270.png 479w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Mason2.png 1823w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Maggie Smith as &#8220;Philpot&#8221;<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Philpott.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Philpott-1024x592.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"370\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Philpott-1024x592.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Philpott-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Philpott-128x74.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Philpott-768x444.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Philpott-1536x888.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Philpott-467x270.png 467w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Pumpkin-Eater-Philpott.png 1797w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, for Bancroft&#8217;s Oscar-nominated performance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Oscar Winner or Nominee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0058500\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/27821\/the-pumpkin-eater#articles-reviews?articleId=202416\">TCM Article (major spoilers alert)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeout.com\/movies\/the-pumpkin-eater\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s life beyond birth.&#8221; Synopsis: A twice-married woman (Anne Bancroft) with many children marries a screenwriter (Peter Finch), but their happiness is short-lived due to his chronic infidelity. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Anne Bancroft Films Flashback Films Infidelity Jack Clayton Films James Mason Films Maggie Smith Films Marital Problems Mental Breakdown Peter Finch Films Pregnancy Review: Harold Pinter&#8217;s adaptation of Penelope Mortimer&#8216;s semi-autobiographical novel about infidelity and childbearing is relentlessly bleak but oddly mesmerizing despite its gloomy trajectory. Pinter&#8217;s&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5847\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5847"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5847\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63753,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5847\/revisions\/63753"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}