Summary
In a societal tapestry woven with threads of rigid class structure and moral pretense, 'The Hypocrites' unfolds a searing indictment of Edwardian-era propriety. At its core is the formidable Squire, a patriarch whose iron will and unyielding concern for familial legacy drive the narrative's central conflict. His son, caught in the tender throes of youth and indiscretion, faces a grave dilemma: acknowledge paternity of a child born to a village girl, thus shattering his family’s esteemed reputation, or disavow the truth to secure a financially advantageous marriage to an heiress. The film meticulously dissects the mechanisms of power wielded by the landed gentry, exposing how respectability can be weaponized to suppress inconvenient truths and subjugate the vulnerable. It’s a stark portrayal of a society where appearances supersede genuine morality, and the price of maintaining social standing is often paid by those with the least agency, leaving a poignant commentary on the corrosive nature of deceit sanctioned by societal norms.
A squire tries to make his son deny he fathered a villager's child, and wed an heiress.
