That Forsyte Woman

This expensive Victorian drama, based on the first book in Galsworthy's trilogy The Forsyte Saga, is heavy going, despite a luxurious production, wonderful period costumes (designer Walter Plunkett grabbed an Oscar nomination) and a few good performances. Pidgeon is the son of a prominent English family whose decision to become an artist has alienated his relatives. His daughter, Leigh, was raised by the family after Pidgeon's wife died, and they have kept daughter and father apart, giving Leigh a strict upbringing according to Victorian mores. Pidgeon's cousin is Flynn, a conservative type who nonetheless went against the clan's wishes to marry Garson, a se...