Rating: 
Summary: Good Story, Very Bad Quality Video and Sound
Review: Circa late-19th century, a shrew of a woman agrees to marry a proper English gentleman "on approval", that is, after a trial period of living as man and wife. Not that he'll be actually be staying with her, though--there's a hotel across the loch and "you will find the dinghy by the jetty". Turns out the hotel is "full up", and the gentleman's buddy, a bankrupt, self-important duke is along for the trip--so's her society friend, so all four end up sharing the house for a time--when the servants see them coming, they see deviant behavior ahead (remember the time period) and vacate the premises. So, there they are: as time passes, they will gradually drive each other nuts. Favorite part: the Duke asks the betrothed and formerly wedded bride "Is that the former Mr. Wislack?" as he points to a mounted moose head on the wall. Lots of underplayed dry British humor here for those of that bent, and the movie is particularly creative at the outset, with a false beginning (this comedy of manners starts with an aerial dogfight), and a wild shared dream sequence near the end. Pauline Kael calls this comedy "dadaist"--it's wonderfully anarchic at times. My copy (which is the same according to the photo above) has rather poor sound quality; you'll have to listen closely to get most of the jokes, but it's worth it. "Ho!"
Rating: 
Summary: Those funny Brits
Review: Circa late-19th century, a shrew of a woman agrees to marry a proper English gentleman "on approval", that is, after a trial period of living as man and wife. Not that he'll be actually be staying with her, though--there's a hotel across the loch and "you will find the dinghy by the jetty". Turns out the hotel is "full up", and the gentleman's buddy, a bankrupt, self-important duke is along for the trip--so's her society friend, so all four end up sharing the house for a time--when the servants see them coming, they see deviant behavior ahead (remember the time period) and vacate the premises. So, there they are: as time passes, they will gradually drive each other nuts. Favorite part: the Duke asks the betrothed and formerly wedded bride "Is that the former Mr. Wislack?" as he points to a mounted moose head on the wall. Lots of underplayed dry British humor here for those of that bent, and the movie is particularly creative at the outset, with a false beginning (this comedy of manners starts with an aerial dogfight), and a wild shared dream sequence near the end. Pauline Kael calls this comedy "dadaist"--it's wonderfully anarchic at times. My copy (which is the same according to the photo above) has rather poor sound quality; you'll have to listen closely to get most of the jokes, but it's worth it. "Ho!"
Rating: 
Summary: Tart, snappy, dark comedy
Review: Clive Brook and Beatrice Lillie star in this arch (and, for the time, fairly risque) English comedy about a would-be couple trying out "married life" for a month before they tie the knot. Complications ensue, but this movie is less about the actual plot than about the tart zingers the "bad" character toss about like darts from a quiver. There are some real zingers, perfectly delivered and deliciously, unrepentantly mean-spirited. A fun movie, considered by many to be one of the best British comedies ever made.
Rating:
Summary: Tart, snappy, dark comedy
Review: Clive Brook and Beatrice Lillie star in this arch (and, for the time, fairly risque) English comedy about a would-be couple trying out "married life" for a month before they tie the knot. Complications ensue, but this movie is less about the actual plot than about the tart zingers the "bad" character toss about like darts from a quiver. There are some real zingers, perfectly delivered and deliciously, unrepentantly mean-spirited. A fun movie, considered by many to be one of the best British comedies ever made.
Rating:
Summary: Tart, snappy, dark comedy
Review: Clive Brook and Beatrice Lillie star in this arch (and, for the time, fairly risque) English comedy about a would-be couple trying out "married life" for a month before they tie the knot. Complications ensue, but this movie is less about the actual plot than about the tart zingers the "bad" character toss about like darts from a quiver. There are some real zingers, perfectly delivered and deliciously, unrepentantly mean-spirited. A fun movie, considered by many to be one of the best British comedies ever made.
Rating: 
Summary: I purchased this movie and didn't like it.
Review: I am a great fan of Frederick Lonsdale's play "On Approval," yet I can not recommend this movie version of it. I know many people love it and have nothing but praise for Lillie and Brooks' performances, yet I found them so stiff that they appeared like zombies. Lillie holds a constant frozen smile for so long that she hardly seems human. Brook, when told he's nothing more than the spawn of illigitimacy, shows absolutely no reaction at all. He's so stiff that it doesn't come across as the famous British reserve but rather as if he's comatose.
Quite appart from the performances, the rewritten version of the play for this movie isn't as sharp and funny as the original. The new ending is particulary disappointing.
For a excellent version of this oustanding play, and to see how much better it is when done properly according to the original play, try to locate a copy of the BBC-1's version produced in 1982 for the "Play of the Month" show. This version, starring the great Jeremy Brett and even greater Penelope Keith, is absolutely perfect in the delivery of the performances and sticking to the original play.
For more information about the 1982 version of "On Approval," please see the page labeled "On Approval" at the bottom of my site at http://www.waynesthisandthat.com.
Rating:
Summary: Mannered, amusing, and slightly malicious
Review: I won't recap the storyline, but will only add to what others have said. On Approval is an extremely amusing comedy of upper class British manners. It is wickedly malicious without being mean-spirited. The four leads play off each other flawlessly. Clive Brook, who also wrote and directed the film, is priceless as an aristocrat who finds it entirely reasonable to take his pleasures at the expense of others. Brook is largely forgotten now, but he was a major British actor in his time. He made only one movie after this, 1963's List of Adrian Messenger. At 76 he could still command the screen, even when sharing scenes with George C. Scott. The DVD's look and sound is very good.
Rating:
Summary: A minor masterpiece of sophisticated light comedy
Review: This is a sophisticated, light comedy of the highest order. It works at every level: acting, directing, pacing, production. Especially for those who tend to appreciate the often higher caliber expertise of movie-making out of the 1940s, this movie will be bright and fresh. It holds its own with the best of that era, yet is so rarely seen today that even connoisseurs of sophisticated satire and gentle wit scarcely know of its existence. For anyone who enjoys ironic word plays, playfully disparaging witticisms, and occasionally biting satire upon upper-class manners -- all done in grand style -- this movie is a joy to experience. The DVD release corrects the sound and other technical problems of the VHS version, allowing the movie to be recommended without reservation for those who appreciate this style of comedy. Don't miss this one!
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Funny
Review: This is one of the best comedies ever made. An absolute romp through the 19th century outlooks and the problems encountered by four improbable companions two of whom are looking one another over with the prospect of marriage. The witch, so to speak, of the four makes the movie. Her performance as the hard to get along with rich widow is magnificent. The rest of the crew do a great job as well. The ending is not what is expected but it is a happy ending which makes the movie even more fun. A must see movie for all comedy fans, especially romantic comedy.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Funny
Review: This is one of the best comedies ever made. An absolute romp through the 19th century outlooks and the problems encountered by four improbable companions two of whom are looking one another over with the prospect of marriage. The witch, so to speak, of the four makes the movie. Her performance as the hard to get along with rich widow is magnificent. The rest of the crew do a great job as well. The ending is not what is expected but it is a happy ending which makes the movie even more fun. A must see movie for all comedy fans, especially romantic comedy.
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