Really enjoyed the 20s feeling of the movie, the desire for Clarice to do what she loved and ignoring a bit what was around her to get there including the « rules » and what was right at the time. The scene in the modelling workshop are creating that atmosphere between the men and her, their respect of the rules and her creativity.

She was a revolutionary of that after war era and the movie really depicts how different she was by the use of colours or the way she smiles.

Although there is a romance it doesn't take over the story and Matthew Goode is a strong character passionate about his business and being bold. Phoebe Dynevor is a great Clarice Cliff.

Great script, cast and direction.

Cliff had a fascinating life, and rather than a 90 minute film, it would have been ideal as a 'Season' on Netflix to give us the meat and bones of her journey to being one of the most famous designers in Pottery - (although clearly some had never heard of her !!)

I thought Phoebe Dynevore was badly miscast - (a case of a young actress gaining fame in a fantasy period drama (Bridgerton),then being offered parts because of this). There was a lot of jumping and skipping about at the beginning, and no empathy at all when she caused the sacking of a colleague. Supporting actors were good - because they had experience - and Matthew Goode is always excellent - but again the background stories disappeared into the ether.

This was a story set in the early 1920s so authenticity with regards set dressings and costume was highly regarded, however its hard to believe that a person of colour would have been employed as a Secretary in the owners office during that period of history. Colour blind casting can work in many instances, but in period dramas not so much.

This is the true story of Clarice Cliff, a British pottery artist in the 1920's who beat the odds by rising from humble beginnings in the North of England in an industry dominated by men, to establish her own brand of ceramics to appeal to women that is still sold today.

Phoebe Dynevor is well cast as Clarice as is Matthew Goode as the upper class factory owner and David Morrissey as her boss. I had no idea who Clarice Cliff was and had no interest in the subject matter but it is such a well made drama that I found myself getting more and more absorbed into the story thanks to Claire McCathy's competent direction and swift pacing. You find yourself rooting for Clarice and balk at the blatant sexism that went on in those days and the courage Clarice faced to overcome the prevailing attitudes.

It reminded me of Made in Dagenham (2010) which was another true story about women in the Ford car plant making a stand against sexual discrimination in the work place. The Colour Room is more than that, it's about believing in yourself and never giving up on your dreams and if you have a passion for something you will find a way to overcome obstacles that stand in your way.