What's Good for the Goose

What's Good for the Goose is a 1969 British comedy film, a departure from the earlier, more slapstick films of comedian Norman Wisdom, known for his portrayal of the character Norman Pitkin. In this particular film, Wisdom takes on the role of Timothy Bartlett, a somewhat stodgy and conservative middle-aged bank manager. The story centers around Bartlett, who leads a mundane life, punctuated by routine and predictability.

The mundane rhythm of Bartlett’s life is suddenly disrupted during a business trip to a conference in the seaside town of Southport. Having been with the same stodgy bank for many years, Bartlett has lived a life of comfort and quiet predictability. His marriage to Margaret, played by Sally Bazely, has settled into familiar domesticity, and he finds himself burdened by the demands of his teenage children, including the typical father-daughter conflicts.

However, everything begins to change when a chance encounter with two free-spirited young women named Nikki and Meg throws his life off its predictable course. Sally Geeson and Sarah Atkinson, respectively, bring to these roles a sense of youthful energy and unconventional allure that is both disarming and appealing.

Nikki, portrayed with a charismatic zest by Geeson, is particularly instrumental in upending Timothy's world. She is the antithesis of everything he has known—vibrant, carefree, and uninhibited. As Timothy finds himself increasingly drawn into Nikki and Meg’s uninhibited world of mod culture, characterized by colorful fashion and a spirited embrace of the era's evolving social freedoms, he begins to question the confines of his own rigid lifestyle.

The film unfolds as a comic exploration of the generational divide of the late 1960s, emphasizing the contrast between the buttoned-up older generation and the exuberant youths who challenge the status quo. This juxtaposition is highlighted through Timothy's uncomfortable yet intriguing immersion into a lifestyle so far removed from his own, complete with music, parties, and a dose of burgeoning sexual liberation.

Despite What's Good for the Goose being a comedic foray, the film is tinged with an undercurrent of social commentary. Wisdom portrays Timothy with a sense of naivete and bemusement, evoking empathy from the audience as he navigates this new and enticing world. His performance suggests a man who, albeit late in life, is on the cusp of self-discovery and transformation. It challenges the predictable norms of aging and seeks to show that it is never too late to embrace a more vibrant, adventurous version of oneself.

The narrative doesn’t shy away from the chaos that ensues when the structured meets the unstructured. Throughout the movie, Timothy's adventures with Nikki and Meg are not only a series of humorous escapades but are also symbolic of the broader societal changes occurring during the era. As he becomes more deeply entangled in this strange new world, he is forced to confront the consequences his 'second youth' has on his stable, established lifestyle, particularly the strain it puts on his family relationships back at home.

Director Menahem Golan takes special care to depict the various antics with a touch of absurdity while still enabling the protagonist’s experience to resonate on a universal level. The scenes of Timothy's adventures are filmed against the backdrop of Southport's seaside backdrop and the British mod scene, providing a colorful and dynamic visual representation of the period.

One of the notable aspects of the movie is its portrayal of the juxtaposition of Timothy's straight-laced persona against the vibrant counterculture. The costuming and set design play an important role in amplifying these contrasts. Timothy, first seen in his drab suits and bowler hat, stands out amongst the psychedelic patterns and bright tones of the mod world, underscoring his transformation from mundane to modish as the film progresses.

While the film's comedy largely hinges on Wisdom's physical comedy and characteristic expressions, it also derives humor from the somewhat bumbling yet endearing attempts of Timothy to fit into this new environment. There’s a sense of rooting for the underdog, as audiences hope that Timothy will not only find joy in his departure from the expected but also manage to reconcile the aspects of his life that he seemingly left behind.

In the end, What's Good for the Goose presents a tale of self-discovery, wrapped in the guise of a comedic romp. Wisdom's performance ensures that Timothy Bartlett’s evolution is both humorous and heartfelt, inviting viewers to laugh while also contemplating their own paths and whether it’s possible, or indeed advisable, to let loose the more wild, ungovernable parts of oneself, regardless of societal expectations or age.