Watch A Matter of Choice

A Matter of Choice is a British drama film from 1963, directed by Vernon Sewell and starring Anthony Steel, Jeanne Moody, and Ballard Berkeley. The film tells the story of a middle-aged businessman, Richard, who is forced to choose between his career and his family after his wife suffers a nervous breakdown. Richard is a successful engineer who has dedicated his life to his work, often neglecting his wife and children in the process. One day, his wife, Irene, collapses from exhaustion and is diagnosed with a nervous breakdown. Her doctor advises Richard that Irene needs rest and support from her family to recover, but Richard is torn between his duty to his job and his duty to his wife and children.

As Irene is taken to a psychiatric hospital, Richard is left to take care of their three children, who resent him for his neglect. Richard struggles to balance his work and home life, and as the pressure mounts, he turns to alcohol for solace.

Meanwhile, Irene is making progress in the hospital, and as she recovers, she realizes that she wants to regain control of her life and stand up to Richard for neglecting their family. She meets a kind-hearted doctor, Dr. Burgess, who supports her in her recovery and encourages her to fight for her rights.

As the film progresses, Richard begins to realize the importance of family and begins to prioritize his family over his job. He makes an effort to spend more time with his children and makes amends with Irene. But Richard's boss, Mr. Peters, is unsympathetic to his situation and threatens to fire him unless he dedicates more time to his work.

Richard faces a difficult decision – he can either risk losing his job and financial security, or he can continue to neglect his family to keep his job. His choice has far-reaching consequences that affect not only himself but his family as well.

The film is a poignant examination of the sacrifices we make for work and the toll it can take on our personal lives. It also explores the themes of family, responsibility, and the importance of communication in relationships.

Anthony Steel delivers a strong performance as Richard, portraying the character's struggle with nuance and depth. Jeanne Moody is equally impressive as Irene, capturing the character's determination and resilience in the face of adversity. The supporting cast, including Ballard Berkeley as Mr. Peters and Ronald Howard as Dr. Burgess, also deliver solid performances.

Overall, A Matter of Choice is a powerful drama that resonates with audiences to this day. It is an insightful and thought-provoking examination of the balance between work and family and the consequences of our choices.

A Matter of Choice is a 1963 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.