What's Good for the Goose

Audience Reviews

View All (6) audience reviews

tim s "What's good for the goose" is a British comedy film from 1969 that at the time tried hard to appeal to both the youth audience as well as the older generation. At the time British film star and T.V. comedian  Norman Wisdom, who plays the main character Timothy Bartlett,  was long past his top film billing and therefore his box office appeal , but was still very much loved and revered by the older generation. The younger generation were just in the midst of the hippy free love phase and are represented in the film by a large group of these free spirited youngsters gathering  at Southport and attending a number of the psychedelic rock band "The  Pretty Things" live performances  at an underground club called The Screaming Apple. The Pretty Things were at the height of popularity and their music fills the soundtrack ( however for contractual reasons the music was released under the group name Electric Banana. ) 19 year old Sally Geeson  ( a well known young T.V. star in her first credited film role ) plays Nikki , Timothy's love interest. "What's good for the goose" plays more like a drama rather than a comedy and you can't help but feel a little sad for Timothy. Throughout the film Norman Wisdom uses his comic skills to try and lift the film from its rather uncomfortable subject matter. Married older man in his mid 50's away from home on a company conference, falls in love with a free spirited teenager. Over the course of a long weekend, Timothy undertakes new experiences and technically goes on dates with his new found hippy girlfriend. In a final act twist, Timothy's determination to carry on this new found way of life sees him invite his wife to Southport and take her to all the places that he and Nikki had shared. Unfortunately for him it is not the same and he is forced back to his old way of life with just a few positive changes.  This film was edited for more comedic value both in the U.K. and U.S. and suffered some cuts at the hands of the censors which makes the film come across rather smutty and disjointed. The European version contains a number of sex scenes and more adult dialogue that is instrumental to Timothy's obsessive behaviour and the film fares a little better for it. "What's good for the goose" gives us a glimpse of Britain in 1969, its fashions, its music and its cultural values. I did enjoy this time capsule of a film especially the underground club scenes. It's just a shame it's not a better platform for the legendary comic Norman Wisdom in his last lead film role. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member It's interesting role for Norman Wisdom where he gets to act a little like he fool he played so well in many films before this, but there's certainly a maturity to the storyline and makes some good points about life and relationships even though it's not a drama. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Not your usual Norman wisdom film, a timid banker goes on a conference and meets a couple of young girls who open his eyes to a different lifestyle Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member With its aging central character (and star) trying to regain his youth, it is a bit sad, though also quite psychedelic, and with great music (by The Pretty Things) Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member A decent little romp about a bank executive's midlife crisis and his subsequent attempt to rekindle the passion in his marriage. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member [center][img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/coverv/75/228775.jpg[/img] [left]"What's Good for the Goose" turns out to be a definitive film of the hippy era without even knowing it. It's surprisingly more involving than any comedy in recent memory. Emotionally, you start hoping the protagonist gives into his desires, while fighting against the people it may hurt (his family). It's a great film, but the ending just left me wanting more. It's too detached for such an involving film. Watch it. [/left] [/center] Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews

What's Good for the Goose

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW