The History of Mr Polly (1949)
The History of Mr Polly (1949)
The film career of Sir John Mills spanned over 70 years and well over a hundred extraordinarily varied movies. It’s possible that his finest moment came in 1949, with <i>The History of Mr Polly</i>. Written and directed by Anthony Pelissier, it’s based on what some consider H. G. Wells’ finest novel. It’s a story of a man who has a draper’s shop, a man who is a bit of a day-dreamer. His marriage is unsatisfying, the business isn’t going well, and he finds his life more and more unbearable. So he sets fire to the shop and leaves to find a new life. Mr Polly’s credo is: “If you don't like your life you can change it.” This is a remarkably successful adaptation of an excellent novel, it’s success due in no small measure to John Mills who captures the essence of Mr Polly perfectly. He’s a character who is more than a mere dreamer, he’s a man with unexpected depths. This is an entirely engrossing and delightful film.