Brothers in Law (1957) - film review

Roger Thursby is a recently graduated barrister who is desperately keen to make his mark on the legal profession.  Alas, it isn’t long before his initial optimism begins to wane as it becomes apparent that winning his first briefs is no east matter.   Even when the distinguished Kendall Grimes takes him on as a pupil, Roger still hasn’t any success.  The cases that do somehow manage to come his way prove unwinnable and he soon becomes hopelessly disillusioned.   Then providence, in the guise of con artist Alfred Green, lends him a helping hand.  By getting the charge against Green dismissed on a technicality, Roger wins his first case, even though this victory revolts him morally.  Could this be the first step in a brilliant legal career, or is he destined to fail...?

The Boulting brothers followed up their popular army satire Private’s Progress (1956) with an equally vigorous send-up of another great institution, Britain’s legal system.  Based on Henry Cecil’s popular novel, the film brings together the three stars of the earlier Boulting comedy, Richard Attenborough, Ian Carmichael and Terry-Thomas, as well as several other familiar comedic performers – John Le Mesurier, Eric Barker, Nicholas Parsons, Irene Handl, etc. – for another classic British comedy. 

Carmichael is hilarious in another of his memorable greenhorn roles, the young barrister who is struggling to come to terms with the absurdities of an antiquated judicial system (which, apparently, has not changed one iota since the film was made).  Most memorable are the courtroom exchanges (particularly the ones where Carmichael is roasted alive by John Le Mesurier), which show just what an ass the law really is.   Although Terry-Thomas appears all too briefly, he almost steals the show with his side-splitting portrayal of a Cockney spiv, a complete contrast to the upper class cad he is best known for playing.  A highly enjoyable comedy classic.

© filmsdefrance.com 2009

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