Watch No Love for Johnnie

No Love for Johnnie is a British drama film from 1961 directed by Ralph Thomas and starring Peter Finch, Stanley Holloway, and Mary Peach. The movie is adapted from the novel of the same name by Wilfred Fienburgh, and it tells the story of a Labour MP named Johnnie Byrne, who is struggling to find his place in the world and to reconcile his personal desires with his political responsibilities.

The film begins with Johnnie returning to his hometown in northern England after losing his seat in a general election. He is bitter, disillusioned, and emotionally isolated, and he does not know what to do with himself. His wife Pauline (played by Mary Peach) is unhappy with their life together, and their marriage is strained. Johnnie's father (played by Stanley Holloway) is a retired miner who distrusts politicians and tells his son that he should have stayed true to his socialist principles instead of compromising for the sake of power.

As the story progresses, we see Johnnie struggling to come to terms with his personal and professional failures. He takes on a new job as a lecturer at a university, but he is unable to connect with his students and feels alienated from their youthful idealism. He also becomes involved with a younger woman named Marcia (played by Billie Whitelaw), but their relationship is fraught with tension and misunderstanding.

Meanwhile, Johnnie's political career is in jeopardy as he faces pressure from his party to conform to their agenda and support a controversial nuclear defense program. Johnnie is torn between his conscience and his ambition, and he does not know which side to choose. He also has to deal with personal attacks from his opponents and the media, which accuse him of being a traitor to his class and his ideals.

The film is a character study of a man who is struggling to find his identity and his place in the world. Johnnie Byrne is a complex and nuanced character, who is both sympathetic and flawed. Peter Finch gives a remarkable performance as Johnnie, conveying his inner turmoil and his outer disillusionment with great sensitivity and nuance. He is supported by a strong cast, including Stanley Holloway, who brings a depth of emotion and wisdom to his role as Johnnie's father, and Mary Peach, who is understated but effective as Johnnie's unhappy wife.

The film is also notable for its insightful commentary on the state of British politics and society in the early 1960s. It portrays the political establishment as corrupt and out of touch with the needs and aspirations of ordinary people. It also highlights the generational divide between the older, working-class characters and the younger, more educated ones, who are disillusioned with the traditional values of their elders.

Overall, No Love for Johnnie is a poignant and thought-provoking drama that showcases the talents of its director, its cast, and its screenwriter. It is a classic of British cinema, and it still resonates with audiences today, as it speaks to universal themes of identity, morality, and the search for meaning in a complex and changing world.