0
0
Rating: 4 out of 5
Sir Thomas Jones Woodward, or as the world knows him simply as Tom Jones, is a world-famous singer. Jones’s career began with a string of top-ten hits in the mid-1960s. Jones has sold over 100 million records, with 36 Top 40 hits in the UK and 19 in the US. Some of his most famous songs are “It’s Not Unusual,” popularized from the show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and the Carlton Dance. We can’t forget “What’s New Pussycat?”, the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball theme song. How about “She’s a Lady?” Another classic from this great singer. Say what? This is supposed to be a review of the 1963 British comedy film Tom Jones. Are you sure?
My apologies. I mixed up the wrong Tom Jones. Well, Tom Jones, the movie, is a 1963 British comedy film adapted from Henry Fielding’s classic 1749 novel “The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling.” Directed by Tony Richardson, Tom Jones is a hilarious film about love, loss, getting into trouble, and finding your place once again.
In England, during the 18th century, Squire Allworthy (Devine) returns to his estate after a lengthy stay in London. As he prepares for bed, he finds a baby in his bed. Homeboy straight up said, “Who baby this is?” Allworthy believes that his maid, Jenny Jones, and his barber got freaky and conceived the illegitimate baby out of lust. Pissed at this, Allworthy banishes them and decides to raise the baby as his own son. He names the baby Tom Jones (Finney). Tom grows up to be a womanizer as he is always chasing after some ass. On the DL, he is having a sexual relationship with Molly Seagrim, the peasant daughter of Allworthy’s gamekeeper. Even though he loves the good, good, Tom is kind-hearted and good-natured, he who is willing to defend that and those in which he believes. His cousin, Blifil, on the other hand, is a punk-ass, cold-hearted, spiteful, jealous fool. Despite Tom chasing after women, he falls in love with the beautiful Sophie (York). Sophie loves him also, but Squire Western and his spinster sister would rather see Sophie marry Blifil rather than a bastard. After being framed, Tom is forced to leave his home and strike out on his own in London. On his way to London, Tom goes on an adventure or misadventure of a lifetime. Along the way, he keeps chasing skirts but still has Sophie on his mind through it all.
When I first tried to watch this film, I didn’t even make it past 15 minutes because it didn’t interest me. I gave it another try and was happy to have watched it. The film is actually quite funny and fun to watch. It is one thing to go on a journey of self-discovery. It is a totally different story when you get thrown out because you can’t keep it in your pants. Tom Jones is a man that loves women and having a really good time. Jones will sleep with any woman that smiles at him and spreads her legs. Homeboy will sleep with any woman in any place. This doesn’t take away from his character. He just living his best life.
The story is all about his misadventures. First off, his uncle and aunt go for a ride, and they spill over in their carriage. This sets the stage for him to be ousted by his father’s punk-ass crew. From there, Jones seems he can’t stay out of trouble. First, he ends up in some town and, during a heated argument, is knocked unconscious while defending the good name of his beloved Sophie and robbed of his legacy. He then rescues a Mrs. Waters from a British Army officer. During that period, he bangs Mrs. Waters, only to be caught by her husband, who proceeds to get freaky with her. Before that, the seduction scene between Jones and Mrs. Waters is priceless as make sexual acts during a big ass meal and getting that drink on. He also seems to have to flee from a jealous Irishman who falsely accuses him of having an affair with his wife, aka Sophie’s cousin. Wait! Tom manages to meet Partridge, who tries to rob him and learns that he is his biological father. When in London, Tom’s freaky side goes to work. Tom catches the eye of Lady Bellaston, a noblewoman over 40 years of age who is attracted to the “pretty boy.” She is wealthy, hot as hell, and completely amoral. She invites Tom to a masked ball at Vauxhall Gardens and pretty much tells him clothes off because we are banging. Tom obliges willingly and is generously rewarded for his services with a suit of fine clothes.
The film also shows Sophie’s side, which added a nice touch. After Tom is banished, Sophie peaces out because she is not interested in Blifil. She makes her way to London. While in London, Lady Bellaston hatches a plan and tries to force Sophia into marriage to a lord by having her raped by him. Lady Bellaston wants Jones all to herself, but Sophie is saved when her father bursts in and goes, “WTF is going on in her?”
What is interesting is the ending. Spoiler Alert: When Tom tries to dip out, he gets into a dueling match where he “fatally” stabs someone. Only the dude lived and was framing Jones. Well, we find out that Jones is Tom is not Jenny Jones’s child, but his sister Bridget’s illegitimate son and thus Allworthy’s nephew. As Jones is led to the gallows, he is pardoned and saved. He gets the money and the girl.
I want to give huge props to Albert Finney. He was all-time fun to watch, and I enjoyed his performance. It is funny to see people in their younger years. I learned about Finney when he was in the Bourne series. I know that is decades later, but you have to start somewhere. Finney made Jones into a noble freak who loved to frolic his loins through the land but also wanted a stable relationship.
Tom Jones is one of those films that will surprise you. It is a fun movie about love, sex, adventure, and finding one place in the world. Jones seemed to get in a lot of trouble but always had a way of getting out of it. Finney is great in his role and should be commended. Have fun watching Tom Jones and also listening to Tom Jones.
