Dinner at Swithin's

director:
writer: Constance Cox

The year is 1886. Soames and Irene have been married for four years. It's not a happy marriage, and gossip to that effect has gotten around. She's been asking for a separate room. Young Jolyon muses on servants' gossip, and how these things make it to public discussion on Forsyte 'Change at Uncle Timothy's, when Soames and Irene would never mention it themselves.

Little June has grown up, nearly: she's 17. She's gotten engaged to be married to a young penniless architect named Philip Bosinney. Bosinney calls on her grandfather, Old Jolyon, to ask his permission to marry June. Jolyon consents, but first Bosinney has to have an income of £400 a year. June and Irene are great friends. Irene warns June about marrying somebody she can't desire and enjoy with her body. Irene is fatalistic about her own situation, which she implies is horrible. Soames comes home; Irene goes dead in demonstration. He tries to make conversation, but she is passively resistant. Soames stomps off in an exasperated sulk.

Old Jolyon has an "at home" soiree to introduce Bosinney to the Forsytes. George dubs Bosinney "the wild Buccaneer". The elderly brothers cluster and complain about their health (they're all over 70 and healthy as horses). Irene and Soames arrive late. The men in the room go silent (and Dartie goes ga-ga) when Irene walks in. James and Anne discuss Soames's marriage, agreeing that it's just as well that Irene hasn't got any money of her own. It would give her ideas. Irene talks to Uncle Jolyon. Suddenly Bosinney sees her, and demands that June introduce them. They meet.

Helene talks with the family doctor about her depressions (though he doesn't have that word for it). Jo's painting is improving. He heads out to his club to meet an agent. Old Jolyon calls at the club-- June is about to leave his life, and he feels the call of family. He shares a cab ride with his son, whom he hasn't seen in years.

Down in Montpellier Square, Irene and Soames are dressing for dinner. Irene has a new gold-colored gown. Soames admires it, tells her the color suits her. He's bought a brooch to go with it. She reluctantly accepts. He offers to fasten it to her gown (a fairly sexual offer, since she wears the brooch over her breast). She doesn't refuse, but goes passively resistant. Soames asks her, "Is there nothing? Nothing at all?" She answers that no matter what he gives her, what he does, there's nothing. She's sorry. Soames is bitter, but passionately kisses her neck, perhaps hoping she'll respond to that. She doesn't. They go to dinner at Swithin's. (You can see a small Quicktime movie of this scene. [23MB])

Irene is seated between Bosinney and Uncle Swithin. She talks to Bosinney, whom she seems to like. Soames seems gloomy in the intervals between being talked at by Aunt Juley and watching Irene at the other end of the table; Winifred tries to cheer him up. He asks Winifred if she thinks Bosinney is reliable. Winifred immediately wants to hear what Soames is planning.

At the end of the dinner, when the ladies have left, the men discuss a group of "genuine modern Italian" statuary recently purchased by Swithin. It's hopelessly of the last generation. Jolyon insults it. Swithin is angry. James asks Bosinney what he thinks of it: he says it's remarkable. For its naivete. When the men troop off, Soames calls Bosinney back. If he has nothing better to do on Sunday, he could come along with Soames to look at a house site. Soames hasn't told Irene yet. "Ah, women are the devil," says Bosinney.


Marital bliss. She's been asking for a separate room.	Cousin June, age 17.	The funny-looking Bosinney.	Young Jolyon improves as a painter.

Irene and June are friends. Irene counsels June about marrying men she can't love with her body.	Irene goes dead when Soames comes home. A Freudian might have something to say about how he's positioned his hands.	George continues to amuse.	Five brothers: Roger, Jolyon, Swithin, Nicholas, and James

Winifred kisses Soames: she appreciates her brother. Nobody else does.	Irene and Bosinney meet.	Old Jolyon begins to make amends with Young Jo.	"That's a very pretty gown. The color suits you."

"May I?" No, he may not.	Soames appreciates his wife's cleavage most keenly. She doesn't seem to enjoy it.	The volcano is smoking, but Irene isn't paying attention.	He gives up. No sexual release for him anywhere in sight.

Dinner at Swithin's.	Aunt Juley talks to Soames about that witty Reverend Scoles and his perplexing sermon.	Swithin admires Irene's-- er, jewelry, while Soames watches.	Winifred tells Soames to cheer up.

"Stucco!" Old Jolyon thinks nothing of the statues.	Soames makes arrangements to meet Bosinney on Sunday, about a site for a house.