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A Day in the Death of Joe Egg Reviews

1972
1 hr 46 mins
Drama
R

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Life with a spastic child is treated without sentimentality in Peter Nichols' adaptation of his play. Alan Bates and Janet Suzman. Grace: Joan Hickson. Freddie: Peter Bowles. Pam: Sheila Gish. Jo: Elizabeth Robillard. Nun: Fanny Carby. Doctor: Murray Melvin. Directed by Peter Medak.

Disturbing, black-humor comedy concerning an English couple, Bates and Suzman, who are trying to raise spastic daughter Robillard. As might be expected from the director of THE RULING CLASS (1972), Medak fills his film with bizarre character twitches and weird turns that lead to the parents' decision to perform a "mercy killing" on their daughter. In the end, filled with the Christmas spirit, the couple decides to let the child live, and they have her institutionalized. Good performances all around save the material from becoming totally tasteless.