It's Hard to Be Good

'It's hard to be amusing and interesting' and this film demonstrates that in spades! The theme is about post world war idealism, but in essence it's a real drag, with a lifeless script and a 'drippy' hero, played by the underwhelming Jimmy Hanley, who as Captain Wedge, comes comes across as a very naive and frankly dull individual who wants to make his mark upon the cynical world after emerging from the end of the war with a VC. Ann Crawford adds glamour and moments of light relief as Hanley's romantic interest, but even she is dragged down by a lame storyline and playing opposite her wooden leading man. I found Hanley's character a misguided bore, whose efforts to promote good works is constantly hampered by a hard bitten newspaper editor as well as local councillors. Hanley's idealism wears thin well before the end of the film and I for one believed he needed to swallow a large dose of realism, as well a kick up the rear, delivered by his wife, to bring him to his senses! British stalwarts like Geoffrey Keen and Joyce Carey were wasted in their supporting roles.

You can tell shortly into a film, I think, if it's going to be any good. I was taken by this one almost immediately. I found it clever. Surprisingly so. Thought I'd better make sure so gave it another 5-10 minutes. I like to check up on the film -- cast, etc., after I've come to my own assessment of it. I thought it was fabulous but when I came here I was shocked to say the least to see all awful reviews. So instead of the 8 I was going to give, I boosted it to 10. I'd actually watch it again soon, no hesitation.

This meandering and misfiring comedy-drama with Jimmy Hanley as a war hero turned do-gooder, whose well-meaning intentions are exploited by corrupt councillors and a bullying newspaper proprietor, does contain seeds later to be developed in the satires of the Boulting Brothers, particularly in HEAVENS ABOVE. While Hanley becomes involved in any number of brawls, the script pulls its punches throughout. I'm a big fan of Anne Crawford, and her wit and glamour as Hanley's sympathetic wife are very welcome in the latter stages, while her closing line, beautifully delivered, is the best in the film.

'It's Hard To Be Good' is fairly typical of British post-war cinema. It does pose some social comments/questions apt for the era, particularly regarding relationships between neighbours and family in a post-war context, and it also vaguely touches on the plight of returned service personnel (National Service was still in operation at the time). To do this, the film is in some ways quite critical of British society. It is difficult to place the work in any one particular genre, as there are elements from several, with the exception of 'action' or 'war'. The nearest description would be 'drama', but with a good element of 'romance'. The acting is standard fare and adequate, as is the plot. There are a few quite funny moments, that were probably quite advanced in concept at the time the film was made. Other than that, after sitting through a relatively unchallenging (but moderately entertaining) film, I was very disappointed with the ending. It seems as though none of the 'loose ends' were tied up for the audience, rather as if the funding ran out during filming. It just suddenly stops. Watch it only if you have nothing better to do, or if you are into social anthropology, cultural studies or sociology.

Jimmy Hanley spends three years in hospital after injuries in the Second World War, with plenty of time to think about how to maintain peace. He decides that the first step is to be helpful and neighborly, but soon discovers It's Hard to Be Good. Everyone thinks him a nut.... until he is awarded the Victoria Cross, and suddenly he is listened to .... and used.

It's a hopeful little British comedy, with some heart in it, but its low-key MEET JOHN DOE story line makes it seem like an also-ran, despite several amusing incidents, and gorgeous Anne Crawford as his nurse and later wife. In the aftermath of the Second World War, the movie's earnest and mocking tone was not wanted; it was an era of Big Plans and National Efforts, and people didn't believe in its simple, grass-roots ideas... nor, seventy years later, do I. Still, it can be enjoyed for its innocent, middle class humor, if you're in the right mood.