Prudence and the Pill

A wealthy London banker who appears suave and controlling, he hides his extramarital affair and pretends to uphold propriety. He schemes to protect his reputation while pursuing his desires, often manipulating others to avoid scandal. His cleverness masks a brittle ego that crumbles under evidence of his infidelity.

Gerald’s wife, deeply unhappy in their marriage and outwardly respectable. She converges with others to obtain Thenol, using the pills as both a shield and a weapon. Prudence embodies moral restraint while secretly plotting to expose her husband, ultimately risking everything for personal vindication.

Gerald’s French mistress, glamorous and morally ambiguous. She seeks affection and status through the affair, spurring Gerald to balance romance with family duty. Liz’s presence intensifies the tension between private desire and public duty.

The Hardcastles’ maid, practical and loyal yet entangled in the pill schemes. She secretly worries about pregnancy and becomes a pivotal figure in the pill-switching antics. Rose’s actions reveal how domestic staff navigate the same social pressures as their employers.

The Hardcastles’ chauffeur, drawn into the pill plot through his relationship with Rose. He tries to manage the fallout of the scheme while maintaining a lighthearted, scheming attitude. His role underscores class dynamics in the narrative.

Henry’s wife and a socialite who embodies the era’s veneer of refinement. She becomes caught up in the pill disruptions and her own pregnancy, illustrating how appearances can mask underlying tensions. Grace’s perspective adds a lens on marriage and social status.

Prudence’s doctor and the source of the Thenol prescriptions, he becomes a key figure in the couples’ schemes. His professional ethics are tested by the couple’s urge to control fertility. Huart’s involvement highlights the tension between medical authority and personal desire.

Henry and Grace’s daughter, a young woman whose pill-swiping precipitates a cascade of revelations. Her actions reflect a rebellious streak and a disregard for the consequences of deception. Geraldine’s scheming contrasts with the older generation’s concerns about propriety.

Geraldine’s boyfriend, a young man swept up in the romantic energy of the couples’ circle. His involvement contributes to the film’s lighthearted exploration of youth and desire. Tony’s optimism clashes with the grown-up chaos around him.