movie review room at the top

Advertisement

Supported by

‘Room at the Top’: An Affair to Remember

• Share full article

By J. Hoberman

• March 6, 2019

A brash working-class bloke gets a new job in a new town, wages a calculated campaign to seduce and marry the local tycoon’s daughter, entangles himself in a passionate affair with an older woman, and finally gets what he wants — with nearly everyone living unhappily ever after.

On the 60th anniversary of “Room at the Top,” it’s worthwhile to recall how and why this British movie shocked and excited its original audiences. A first feature by Jack Clayton from a best-selling debut novel by John Braine , it opens for a week at Film Forum in a 4K restoration that puts a new sheen on master cinematographer Freddie Francis’s grimy black-and-white images.

Joe Lampton (Laurence Harvey), the film’s antihero, is a ferocious go-getter from a humble background who takes a job in a North England town controlled by the local industrialist. Single-minded and predatory, he sets his sights on the naïve heiress Susan Brown (Heather Sears), while recklessly pursuing the worldly wise but unhappily married Alice Aisgill (Simone Signoret). The heat generated by the affair fuels the movie.

Joe’s bluntly articulated class resentment notwithstanding, “Room at the Top” is quite conservative in its morality — although its sledgehammer ending still packs an emotional wallop. The movie was popular with British audiences but, as noted by the film historian Alexander Walker, many reviewers were offended by its explicit dialogue and situations. There would seem to be a political subtext as well. Given that Joe was a sergeant in the R.A.F. during World War II and supposedly in his mid-20s (making Alice a shockingly old 35), the movie appears to be set around 1950 — a period when Britain’s postwar Labour government put the nation’s old boy network on the defensive.

Longing for adult fare and quick to note parallels with Theodore Dreiser’s “An American Tragedy,” critics in the United States were more enthusiastic than their British counterparts. “The cynical, disenchanted and footloose postwar youths of England, who justifiably have been termed ‘angry,’ never have been put into sharper focus,” A.H. Weiler wrote approvingly in The New York Times . Citing the movie’s “maturity,” the New Republic critic Stanley Kauffmann praised it as “a rare event among English-language films.”

Evidently, the French thought so too. “Room at the Top” was well-received at Cannes, where Signoret (a French national) won an award for best actress; the influential critic Georges Sadoul called it “undoubtedly the most significant British film of the ’50s.” With its vivid Northern locations (and accents) and sexual frankness (Joe and Alice making love midafternoon in a borrowed flat), “Room at the Top” ushered in a new era of British naturalism — the so-called kitchen sink cinema of the 1960s, characterized by provincial working-class protagonists and drab industrial settings.

“Room at the Top” was nominated for five Oscars and received two, for best adaptation and best actress. Not everyone was pleased. The gossip columnist Hedda Hopper was particularly irate that Signoret, a well-known leftist, had been so honored. “Let her decorate her mantel with Picasso doves and the like,” she wrote. “I got so mad, I upped and resigned from the Academy.” That, presumably, created a bit more room at the top.

Rewind is an occasional column covering revived, restored and rediscovered movies playing in New York’s repertory theaters.

Room at the Top March 8-14 at Film Forum, Manhattan; 212-727-8110, filmforum.org .

Explore More in TV and Movies

Not sure what to watch next we can help..

A Night at the Opera : Angelina Jolie plays the superstar soprano Maria Callas in the new movie “Maria.” We went to the Metropolitan Opera with her and the director Pablo Larraín .

More Than a Disney Princess : “Moana” made Auli’i Cravalho a breakout star. Now she’s back in the sequel , while also making her Broadway debut and embracing edgier parts.

The Reintroduction of Daniel Craig : The actor’s vulnerable performance in “Queer” may surprise fans of the former James Bond star, but it’s a return to the sexually daring films he used to make .

Streaming Guides:  If you are overwhelmed by the endless options, don’t despair — we put together the best offerings   on Netflix , Max , Disney+ , Amazon Prime  and Hulu  to make choosing your next binge a little easier.

Watching Newsletter:  Sign up to get recommendations on the best films and TV shows  to stream and watch, delivered to your inbox.

We sent an email to [email protected]

Didn't you get the email?

By joining, you agree to the Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

• About Rotten Tomatoes®
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening This Week
• Top Box Office
• Coming Soon to Theaters
• Certified Fresh Movies

Movies at Home

• Fandango at Home
• Prime Video
• Most Popular Streaming Movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• 88% Wicked Link to Wicked
• 89% The Order Link to The Order
• 93% Beatles '64 Link to Beatles '64

New TV Tonight

• 64% Secret Level: Season 1
• -- Dexter: Original Sin: Season 1
• -- Bookie: Season 2
• -- No Good Deed: Season 1
• 100% Dream Productions: Season 1
• -- The Great British Baking Show: Holidays: Season 7
• -- Queer Eye: Season 9
• -- Paris & Nicole: The Encore: Season 1
• -- Die Hart: Season 3

Most Popular TV on RT

• 94% Black Doves: Season 1
• 96% Star Wars: Skeleton Crew: Season 1
• 76% The Madness: Season 1
• 70% Dune: Prophecy: Season 1
• 67% The Agency: Season 1
• 85% The Day of the Jackal: Season 1
• 100% Arcane: League of Legends: Season 2
• 87% The Sticky: Season 1
• 78% Landman: Season 1
• 94% Creature Commandos: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV

Certified fresh pick

• 94% Creature Commandos: Season 1 Link to Creature Commandos: Season 1
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

Best TV Shows of 2024: Best New Series to Watch Now

100 Best New Horror Movies of 2024

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming.

Awards Tour

How to Train Your Dragon : Release Date, Trailer, Cast & More

A Complete Unknown : Exclusive Sneak Peek

• Trending on RT
• Awards Season
• Best Netflix Movies
• Renewed and Cancelled TV
• TV Premiere Dates

Room at the Top Reviews

In truth, Signoret probably outclasses everyone in the movie with her charisma and address to the camera. But Harvey’s performance, though more effortful, still has vigour and style.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 6, 2024

Laurence Harvey is electric as the social climber Joe Lampton...

Full Review | Aug 23, 2023

Room has a tricked-up impressiveness that holds the spectator's mind long after the movie's windup.

Full Review | Sep 14, 2021

One of the bleakest movies I know, Room at the Top also ranks among the sultriest: a wildfire smoldering in a desolate landscape. Director Jack Clayton deftly showcases the lust-drunk faces and entangled bodies of protagonists Joe and Alice.

Full Review | Nov 13, 2020

Classic portrayal of ruthless ambition has sex and violence.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 12, 2020

A masterful film in all aspects, full of strength. [Full Review in Spanish]

Full Review | Feb 14, 2020

Complicated characters, a searing indictment of upper-crust snobbery, and a startling sexual frankness for its time (an X rating in the UK, banned in several cities in the US) all contribute to this movie's potency.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jan 25, 2020

Room at the Top, a British production banned in Saskatchewan, treated sex and several other universal human relationships with a power and honesty far removed from the sleazy hypocrisy of the gimmick-shows.

Full Review | Oct 7, 2019

Harvey impresses, but it's Signoret, giving one of her career best performances, who shines.

Full Review | May 14, 2019

Francis and Clayton swing and glide their furtive camera through exquisitely blocked scenes in which characters are handsomely planted across multiple planes like a topiary.

Full Review | Mar 9, 2019

Room at the Top... signals a bold and personal directional talent in Jack Clayton as well as a rare departure in British film-making.

Full Review | Feb 8, 2018

One of the most important films in the history of British cinema.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Oct 15, 2010

An adult, human picture.

Full Review | Mar 26, 2009

Time has rained on its parade and it seems less daring when viewed today.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Sep 7, 2008

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 18, 2007

A seminal work that introduced the new British social realism tradition, this superbly acted film is an uncompromising indictment of the British class system; it launched the career of Jack Clayton, in his feature debut, as a new significant voice

Full Review | Original Score: A | Dec 22, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 25, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | May 14, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Sep 19, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Jul 30, 2003

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

• Movie Reviews
• Best Movie Lists
• Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

• Best TV Lists
• Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
• Common Sense Selections for TV
• Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

• Book Reviews
• Best Book Lists
• Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

• Game Reviews
• Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

• Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

• Podcast Reviews
• Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

• App Reviews
• Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

• YouTube Channel Reviews
• YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

• Preschoolers (2-4)
• Little Kids (5-7)
• Big Kids (8-9)
• Pre-Teens (10-12)
• Teens (13+)
• Screen Time
• Social Media
• Online Safety
• Identity and Community

Santa Spoiler Alerts!

• Family Tech Planners
• Digital Skills
• All Articles
• Latino Culture
• Black Voices
• Asian Stories
• Native Narratives
• LGBTQ+ Pride
• Jewish Experiences
• Best of Diverse Representation List

Multicultural Books

YouTube Channels with Diverse Representations

Podcasts with Diverse Characters and Stories

Parents' guide to, room at the top.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 0 Reviews
• Kids Say 0 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Classic portrayal of ruthless ambition has sex and violence.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Room at the Top is a BAFTA-winning 1959 British black and white drama -- based on a novel -- about a working-class man who will stop at nothing to succeed. Joe Lampton (Laurence Harvey) is ruthless in his ambition and covets money and position above all else. He sets his sights on a…

Why Age 13+?

Characters are punched and kicked. A gang attack results in some blood and injur

There is kissing on the face, neck, and shoulders and sex is implied through mul

Occasional language includes "bitch," "whore," "bastard," and "swine." The term

There is frequent smoking. Characters drink alcohol in bars, restaurants, and at

Though the movie is focused on the desire for wealth and position, there are few

Any Positive Content?

Lessons are learned the hard way. Actions have consequences -- don't play with t

Joe is selfish, ruthless, and solely focused on societal advancement and financi

Parents need to know that Room at the Top is a BAFTA-winning 1959 British black and white drama -- based on a novel -- about a working-class man who will stop at nothing to succeed. Joe Lampton ( Laurence Harvey ) is ruthless in his ambition and covets money and position above all else. He sets his sights on a rich young woman and manipulates her into falling in love with him, all the while having an affair with an older married woman. Typical of the era, sexism is rife and men often treat women as objects and possessions. Similarly characters are frequently seen smoking. There is drinking and gambling. Occasional mild language includes "whore" and "bastard." Death is mentioned on a number of occasions and there are some violent scenes -- including domestic violence. Sex is heavily implied and directly spoken about.

To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Violence & Scariness

Characters are punched and kicked. A gang attack results in some blood and injury to the face. There is an instance of domestic violence where a character is throttled and threatened with a beating. War is mentioned, including reference to prisoners of war and shots of a bomb site where a character's parents died. A car crash and bloody aftermath are described but not shown.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

There is kissing on the face, neck, and shoulders and sex is implied through multiple "before" and "after" scenes in bed. The main character pressures someone into having sex with them. There are sexually charged comments in the workplace. Affairs are mentioned and a character is referred to as a "whore" on a number of occasions.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Occasional language includes "bitch," "whore," "bastard," and "swine." The term "virgin" is also used as an insult.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

There is frequent smoking. Characters drink alcohol in bars, restaurants, and at home. On two occasions characters are seen to be drunk and subsequently suffer violent outcomes as a result.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Though the movie is focused on the desire for wealth and position, there are few specific examples of consumerism.

Positive Messages

Lessons are learned the hard way. Actions have consequences -- don't play with the emotions of others. Selfishness doesn't pay and wealth doesn't always bring happiness. An adulterous affair takes place.

Positive Role Models

Joe is selfish, ruthless, and solely focused on societal advancement and financial gain. He manipulates others and treats women badly. Members of high society are snobbish and disparaging towards the working class. Women are objectified and often portrayed as either wide-eyed innocents or promiscuous. Characters gamble, have affairs, and take part in bribery and blackmail.

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents Say

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

In ROOM AT THE TOP working-class accountant Joe Lampton ( Laurence Harvey ) moves to the northern English town of Warnley to take on a new job and build a new life. His ruthless ambition to rise in class and social status leads him to target a local millionaire's young daughter, Susan ( Heather Sears ). While aggressively attempting to woo her, he has an affair with a married French woman, Alice ( Simone Signoret ) who he soon falls in love with. Caught between two lovers, Joe must decide what's most important to him -- money or love.

Is It Any Good?

Based on John Braine's bestselling novel, the film was highly influential in British cinema and stands the test of time well enough -- despite the jarring sexism. A kitchen sink-style drama with an angry young man at its center, it is a poignant and well-crafted story that pulls no punches in terms of its depiction of class and relationships. It certainly lives up to its billing of "a savage story of lust and ambition." It makes sense then that one if its two Oscars went to the screenplay, while the other went to Signoret's phenomenal performance as Joe's lover, Alice. An early example of a complex female character onscreen, Alice is an unhappily married woman with an independent spirit, who is both confident yet intensely vulnerable. Harvey's narcissistic chauvinist has proven less timeless, but remains a strong character despite the questionable accent.

Directed by Jack Clayton -- who would later go on to direct The Great Gatsby (1974) -- and filmed by cinematographer Freddie Francis ( The Elephant Man , Cape Fear ), Room at the Top captures the post-war northern town with gritty realness. The atmospheric bars, moonlit streets, and lavish upper-class interiors all add a hint of romanticism that is mirrored in the tragic ending. While the content doesn't have the shock value of its initial release -- when the frank portrayal of sexuality was somewhat more scandalous -- the story still has a universal appeal in its portrayal of class struggle, moral compromise, and the unfathomable complexities of love.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the portrayal and treatment of women in Room at the Top . How does it compare to that of women today? How can gender stereotypes in movies impact kids' development?

Do you think it was possible for Joe to have a happy ending? Did he deserve one?

How did the movie portray different classes? How did they treat each other?

Are any of the characters sympathetic? What are some of their positive characteristics ?

Movie Details

• In theaters : January 22, 1959
• On DVD or streaming : January 26, 2009
• Cast : Laurence Harvey , Simone Signoret , Heather Sears
• Director : Jack Clayton
• Studio : Independent Film Distributors
• Genre : Drama
• Topics : Book Characters
• Run time : 112 minutes
• MPAA rating : NR
• Award : BAFTA - BAFTA Winner
• Last updated : June 20, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

What to watch next.

The Great Gatsby (1974)

Out of Africa

Drama movies that tug at the heartstrings, romance movies, related topics.

• Book Characters

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Metacritic reviews

Room at the top.

• 100 TV Guide Magazine TV Guide Magazine Room at the Top memorably conveys the snobbery, poverty, desperation, and politics of class in provincial England.
• 90 Film Threat Film Threat Room at the Top remains a highly satisfying and beautifully conceived study of the human experience. It is one of the most important films in the history of British cinema and, mercifully, it is still one of the most remarkable dramatic productions of all time.
• 90 Variety Variety Neil Paterson's literate, well-molded screenplay is enhanced by subtle, intelligent direction from first-timer Jack Clayton and a batch of topnotch performances.
• 80 The New York Times J. Hoberman The New York Times J. Hoberman Room at the Top is quite conservative in its morality — although its sledgehammer ending still packs an emotional wallop.
• 80 Empire David Parkinson Empire David Parkinson Although time doesn't flatter the film much, it remains engaging and insightful.
• 70 Time Out Time Out In retrospect, this adaptation of John Braine's Bradford-set novel, with its moral melodramatics as Laurence Harvey cheats his way to success (a good marriage) via the death of his 'true love' and the bed of his mistress (Signoret), may not stand the test of time. But it remains intriguing as a sort of Brief Encounter, '50s-style.
• See all 6 reviews on Metacritic.com
• See all external reviews for Room at the Top

More from this title

More to explore, recently viewed.

Room at the Top Review

22 Jan 1959

115 minutes

Room at the Top

Although John Osborne's Look Back in Anger had already opened at the Royal Court Theatre, it was Jack Clayton's adaptation of John Braine's scathing portrait of northern working-class life that turned social realism into headline news. It was one thing for continental films to tackle such taboo topics as pre-marital sex and adultery. But no British film had previously discussed such adult situations in so caustic a vernacular, let alone depicted them with such casual frankness. For viewers reared on Ian Carmichael and Norman Wisdom,  Room at the Top was a devastating discovery, made all the more thrillingly immediate by the fact that so much of the action related to their own everyday experience.

    There had been cads in British movies before. But James Mason's sins had been committed in costume in Gainsborough period romps that consciously romanticised his roguery. Laurence Harvey, however, wore an ordinary suit and worked in the borough treasurer's department. Moreover, he was a former RAF POW. Yet, he was prepared to use his looks and charm to seduce his way to affluence and acceptability.

    But while Joe Lampton was cynical and exploitative, he wasn't an archetypal angry young man'. He was proud of his roots: he just recognised their inconvenience to his aspiration. Moreover, despite Jack Clayton and Freddie Francis's evocative use of their Yorkshire locations, this wasn't exactly a kitchen sink' drama, either, as neither Heather Sears's naive daddy's girl nor Simone Signoret's coolly sensual outsider skivvied away in the inner-city backstreets.

     However, Neil Paterson's acrid screenplay still scandalised the British Establishment and so appalled the Breen Office that it was denied a release certificate. Indeed, this did as much for the film's international reputation as its raft of awards, which eventually included a Best Actress Oscar for Signoret. Despite being on screen for a comparatively short time, she walks away with the picture and her sophisticated passion contrasts sharply with Harvey's poorly accented and occasionally awkward display of narcissistic chauvinism.