While staying with a prosperous family in Norfolk, a young boy becomes the unwitting pawn in a love triangle. Remaining faithful to the book 'The Go-Between' is a nicely understated, almost serene account of an illicit affair, but if you want to see bedroom romps, bust ups, and flying crockery then go watch the soaps.
Where the film succeeds brilliantly is conveying an oppressive class system during a oppressively long, hot Summer in Edwardian England. One of the best scenes is the cricket match, and Pinter, himself a keen follower of the game, cleverly uses cricket as an allegory - Trimmingham strokes the ball with cultured finesse, while the rustic Ted Burgess just crouches and hits. In the end he gets caught out by the boy.
This film takes a less is more approach to a classic novel, and overall , i think succeeds very well.
Where the film succeeds brilliantly is conveying an oppressive class system during a oppressively long, hot Summer in Edwardian England. One of the best scenes is the cricket match, and Pinter, himself a keen follower of the game, cleverly uses cricket as an allegory - Trimmingham strokes the ball with cultured finesse, while the rustic Ted Burgess just crouches and hits. In the end he gets caught out by the boy.
This film takes a less is more approach to a classic novel, and overall , i think succeeds very well.