Only Two Can Play – 1962 | 106 mins | Comedy | B&W

Plot Synopsis

Adapted by Bryan Forbes from Kingsley Amis’s novel That Uncertain Feeling, Only Two Can Play is a well-characterised yet understated kitchen sink comedy.

John Lewis (Peter Sellers), a married assistant librarian in the Welsh town of Aberdarcy endeavours to have an illicit affair with beautiful councillor’s wife, Liz (Mai Zetterling), who whisks into his workplace one morning. Despite being deeply in love with his devoted wife Jean (Virginia Maskell), John has come to take her and his family for granted and as a result is bored with the daily drudge of home life and work. Liz invites John and his wife to a literary party at her home and the two grasp a fleeting embrace. Unfortunately, henceforth none of their carefully calculated schemes for a romantic tryst come to fruition. First Liz’s husband, Vernon (Raymond Huntley), arrives home early to disrupt their amorous rendezvous.

Next, Liz plans to consummate their passion by taking a car ride with John to a secluded rural spot instead of going to the theatre but the car gadgetry and a herd of cow’s once again suspend their ardour. John writes a review of the play he never saw, not knowing that the play didn’t come off because the theatre burned to the ground. Even Liz’s scheme to help John advance himself at the library fails when he eventually has a conflict of morals and decides against becoming her latest lapdog. John resolves that adultery isn’t worth the hassle and returns home to his wife who has taken to flirting with two-bit poet Probert (Richard Attenborough). Together the couple begin running a mobile library and John strives to control his wandering eye beneath his wife’s scrutiny.