The Horse’s Mouth (1958)

☆ ☆ ☆ ½

The Horse’s Mouth (1958) – R. Neame

Sir Alec Guinness is the drawcard here – and he offers up another eccentric performance, following on from the diverse range of characters he played in the Ealing Studio Comedies earlier in the ‘50s.  Unfortunately, The Horse’s Mouth isn’t quite as funny as those earlier films (Kind Hearts and Coronets, The Lavender Hill Mob, The Man in the White Suit, and The Ladykillers) but Guinness himself is impressive.  He plays Gully Jimson, an irrepressible artist scrounging his way through life by harassing rich patrons into keeping him afloat (on his houseboat). When a millionaire couple depart on holiday leaving Jimson their keys, he takes the opportunity to paint a huge mural (principally of bare feet) on their living room wall (destroying most of their flat in the process).  Guinness plays Jimson with a husky growl and a mischievous look in his eye, appearing 50 or 60, despite being only 44.  Although there is a plot arc of sorts, this is really a character study—everyone else stands back to let Guinness mug for the camera.  Amazing that this is the same man who portrayed sombre George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (not to mention other famous and different roles). Truly a great actor.