Sons and Lovers (1960)

In the dawn of the twentieth century, we are introduced to the Morel family, nestled in the heart of Bestwood, a coal mining settlement just on the outskirts of Nottingham, England. The once vibrant bond shared by Walter and Gertrude Morel, the patriarch and matriarch, now hangs by a thread, their contrasting personalities driving an insurmountable wedge between them. They wield their influence over their grown sons in a subtle dance of emotional manipulation. William, their eldest, has fled the homestead for the bustling city life of London, leaving behind his two brothers, each of whom has formed a unique alliance with one parent. Arthur, the embodiment of the gruff Walter, has embraced the legacy of the mines, a path he believes is their destiny. Paul, on the other hand, is an artist at heart, his talents self-taught and nurtured under his mother, Gertrude's, watchful eye. He's chosen a humble office job over the claustrophobic mines, a decision Gertrude supports as a more lucrative, albeit longer, path to prosperity. Paul's life is a canvas painted with the influence of his mother, and this is most evident in his relationships with two distinct women. The first is Miriam Leivers, a farm girl from his childhood who shares his romanticized vision of arts and literature. Their bond is complicated by Mrs. Leivers, Miriam's mother, who has instilled in her a view of physical intimacy as a mere tool for procreation. The second woman is Clara Dawes, an audacious colleague from his office job. Clara is a woman of the new age, living separately from her working-class husband, Baxter Dawes. The movie spirals into a captivating exploration of Paul's relationships, his life choices, and the indelible influence of his parents, all against the backdrop of a society on the brink of change.

Sons and Lovers is a drama movie featuring Trevor Howard and directed by Jack Cardiff.

It is possible to buy Sons and Lovers on AMC on Demand, Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.