Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mature themes in intense British psychological drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Pumpkin Eater
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE PUMPKIN EATER, Jo (Anne Bancroft) leaves the domesticity of her second marriage in favor of passionate screenwriter Jake (Peter Finch), bringing her five children with her, and soon adding more to the brood. At first, the two enjoy their romance, but with her household duties gradually taken over by staff and Jake's attention wandering further away from his own family ties, she begins to feel increasingly isolated and out of control.
Is It Any Good?
It's Bancroft's impressive performance that forms the rapidly beating heart of this psychological drama, which descends into dark themes with little relief. There's plenty of talent both in front of and behind the camera on The Pumpkin Eater, directed by Oscar-nominee Jack Clayton, adapted for the screen by Harold Pinter, and starring the likes of Finch, James Mason, and Maggie Smith. The department store breakdown is one of the most memorable scenes, bolstered by Bancroft's extraordinary Oscar-nominated acting and Clayton's intense, almost dreamlike direction—reminiscent of the psychological disorientation he induced in The Innocents just a few years before. Elsewhere, there's beautiful work with shadows and plenty of lingering close-ups that toy with identity and self in a visual way beyond the borderline melodrama on-screen. There are moments of humor, too, despite the heavy material, and a beautiful full-circle moment that manages to avoid feeling cheesy or forced, lending a sense of some hope and understanding to an otherwise weighty watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how gender was portrayed in The Pumpkin Eater. What gender roles were present? Were there any aspects of the movie that went against traditional ideas of male and female roles at the time (the 1960s)? How do you think Jo's gender may have affected how her mental health was perceived and treated?
How did the film portray sex and relationships? Were the relationships respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
How was drinking and smoking depicted in the film? Were they glamorized? When it comes to drinking and smoking, do you think our behavior has changed since the time when the movie was set and filmed?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 16, 1964
- On DVD or streaming : August 16, 2010
- Cast : Anne Bancroft , Peter Finch , James Mason , Maggie Smith
- Director : Jack Clayton
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Releasing
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters
- Run time : 118 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Awards : Academy Award - Other Category Nominee , BAFTA - BAFTA Winner , BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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