100
TV Guide Magazine
Room at the Top memorably conveys the snobbery, poverty, desperation, and politics of class in provincial England.
Room at the Top
Critic Rating
(read reviews)User Rating
- United Kingdom
- 1959
- · 115m
Director
Jack Clayton
Cast
Simone Signoret,
Laurence Harvey,
Heather Sears,
Donald Wolfit,
Donald Houston,
Hermione Baddeley
Genre
Drama,
Romance
In a dreary English factory town in the 1940s, Joe is an ambitious young accountant who plans to marry Susan, a local magnate’s daughter, solely for the sake of getting ahead. But after Susan’s father sends her abroad, Joe turns to Alice — an older woman in an unhappy marriage — for comfort.
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What are critics saying?
100
TV Guide Magazine by Staff (Not Credited)
Room at the Top memorably conveys the snobbery, poverty, desperation, and politics of class in provincial England.
90
Variety
Neil Paterson's literate, well-molded screenplay is enhanced by subtle, intelligent direction from first-timer Jack Clayton and a batch of topnotch performances.
90
Film Threat
Room at the Top remains a highly satisfying and beautifully conceived study of the human experience. It is one of the most important films in the history of British cinema and, mercifully, it is still one of the most remarkable dramatic productions of all time.
90
Variety by Staff (Not Credited)
Neil Paterson's literate, well-molded screenplay is enhanced by subtle, intelligent direction from first-timer Jack Clayton and a batch of topnotch performances.
90
Film Threat by Staff (Not Credited)
Room at the Top remains a highly satisfying and beautifully conceived study of the human experience. It is one of the most important films in the history of British cinema and, mercifully, it is still one of the most remarkable dramatic productions of all time.
80
Empire by David Parkinson
Although time doesn't flatter the film much, it remains engaging and insightful.
80
The New York Times by J. Hoberman
Room at the Top is quite conservative in its morality — although its sledgehammer ending still packs an emotional wallop.
70
Time Out
In retrospect, this adaptation of John Braine's Bradford-set novel, with its moral melodramatics as Laurence Harvey cheats his way to success (a good marriage) via the death of his 'true love' and the bed of his mistress (Signoret), may not stand the test of time. But it remains intriguing as a sort of Brief Encounter, '50s-style.
70
Time Out by Staff (Not Credited)
In retrospect, this adaptation of John Braine's Bradford-set novel, with its moral melodramatics as Laurence Harvey cheats his way to success (a good marriage) via the death of his 'true love' and the bed of his mistress (Signoret), may not stand the test of time. But it remains intriguing as a sort of Brief Encounter, '50s-style.
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