The Hireling

A British drama that examines class barriers in England, adapted from the L.P. Hartley novel.

The story is set in 1923 and details the close relationship of a wealthy young widow, Miles, and her hired chauffeur, Shaw. Shaw drives Miles home from a clinic where she has been convalescing from a nervous breakdown. In her fragile state of mind, she starts a love affair with Shaw, and he believes the class barriers are down. However, after she begins to recover her mental stability, the barriers rise once again. She no longer considers Shaw her equal, and when he confesses his love for her, Miles makes it clear that their relationship is an impossibility. Enraged and frustrated, Shaw attacks her expensive car, which has become the symbol of their doomed romance.