Watch The Go Between

The Go-Between, released in 2015, is a British drama film directed by Pete Travis and written by Adrian Hodges. The movie is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by L.P. Hartley which was first published in 1953. This period drama is set in rural England in the early 1900s just before World War I. The film follows the story of Leo Colston (played by Jack Hollington), a young man who is spending his summer holidays with the wealthy family of his classmate, Marcus Maudsley (played by Samuel Joslin). While he’s there, Leo gets caught up in a love affair between Marcus’ beautiful older sister, Marian (played by Joanna Vanderham) and a local tenant farmer, Ted Burgess (played by Ben Batt).

As Leo becomes the go-between for the couple, he falls in love with Marian himself, but he is too young and too naïve to understand the complex social dynamics at play.

Despite her feelings for Ted, Marian is engaged to the aristocrat, Hugh Trimingham (played by Robert Pugh), and her affair with Ted is a secret. When it becomes clear that their relationship is going to be exposed, Marian and Ted make a plan to elope, and Leo is unwittingly drawn into this scheme.

The Go-Between is a beautifully shot and well-acted period drama that explores the themes of social class, love, loss, and memory. The film is narrated by the older Leo Colston, played by Jim Broadbent, reflecting on the events of his childhood and how they affected the rest of his life.

Jack Hollington's performance as the young Leo is especially noteworthy. He manages to convey the character's innocence and naivety brilliantly, and his portrayal of a young boy caught up in a complicated adult affair is both poignant and heartbreaking.

The film's other standout performers include Samuel Joslin, who brings a vulnerability to the role of Marcus Maudsley, and Joanna Vanderham, who delivers a nuanced and complex performance as Marian.

The Go-Between is a slow-paced and contemplative film that explores the darker side of love and the human capacity for deceit and betrayal. It is a film that rewards close attention, as the story gradually unfolds, and the motivations of the characters become clearer.

One of the film's greatest strengths is its depiction of the social dynamics of rural England during the early 1900s. The class differences between the wealthy Maudsley family and their tenant farmers are starkly highlighted, and the film explores the ways in which these differences impact the relationships between the characters.

Overall, The Go Between is a beautifully crafted and thought-provoking period drama that explores the complexities of the human heart. With its strong performances, evocative cinematography, and richly detailed setting, it is a film that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.