The son of a working-class British mining family has dreams of pursuing an art career, but when he strikes up an affair with an older, married woman from the town it enrages his kind but possessive mother.
Somehow, this plainly euphemistic attitude toward Lawrence's fierce and fine account runs through the whole handsome picture and hobbles its real potential punch.
– Bosley Crowther,
New York Times,
31 Jan 2012
rotten:
A slack and superficial adaptation of Lawrence's novel.
– Tom Milne,
Time Out,
31 Jan 2012
fresh:
Sons and Lovers is a well-made and conscientious adaptation of D. H. Lawrence's famed novel, smoothly directed by Jack Cardiff and superbly acted by a notable cast.