ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

Freaktana A Major Disappointment

Ogosmith Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Lidia Draper Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

richard.fuller1 Were that prancing with a pram in public was all it took to raising a child. Talk about a movie sending the wrong message! There's been stories like this before. Check out She's Been Away (1989) with Dame Peggy Ashcroft.This little girl here didn't see her problems solved with having a baby and causing everyone to wonder who the father might be, as tho that casts the blame upon them and leaves her completely innocent.This is the mindset of Maury Povich trying to find out the father is of those babies. "You are NOT the father!" Here's this girl.Even still, that kid grows up, and either she's going to have to pay for a baby-sitter or she's going on aid, or she's relying on someone.She isn't doing it all on her prancing own, walking in front of everyone with the pram.How long before that gets old? This movie was older.Just another film trying to be original on an idea that's older than dirt.

Woodyanders Sassy and defiant 16-year-old nonconformist Lynda Mansell (a wonderfully brash and vibrant performance by the adorable Emily Lloyd) lives her life defying the norm and gleefully shocking the uptight locals in the staid seaside hamlet she resides in. Her long-suffering conservative father Hubert (well played by Geoffrey Hutchings) disapproves of Emily's outrageous antics. Moreover, Emily is forced to deal with the potentially harmful consequences of her mischievous behavior after she's impregnated by seedy older fellow oddball Eric (a superbly intense portrayal by Tom Bell). Writer/director David Leland expertly crafts a perfectly pitched blend of touching drama and uproariously brazen comedy that benefits tremendously from a flavorsome evocation of the 1950's period setting, an equally astute depiction of the repressive mores of said stuffy era, and a wealth of hilariously racy lines ("Up your bum!"). Moreover, Leland wisely keeps mawkish sentiment at bay and refuses to pass judgment on any of the characters. Best of all, the radiant and appealing Lloyd simply shines as lovable free spirit Lynda, whose tart veneer masks a scared inner vulnerability and rebellious nature stems from the death of her mother when she was eleven as well as a fierce disdain of the status quo and a deep-seated need to assert one's own individuality in a drab world of stifling conformity. Kudos are also in order for Ian Wilson's postcard pretty cinematography and Stanley Myers' stately score. A lovely, moving, and frequently funny gem.

Pepper Anne This is a strange low-budget British drama about a young, promiscuous woman (was Lynda supposed to be a teenager throughout the film?) who asserts her independence in strange way (though less strange by the finale). Her precocious behavior stems from an odd relationship with her family. Once her mother dies, she becomes alienated from her estranged father and her "boring" sister (seriously, what was this kid doing all the time walking around in a scouts uniform carrying a flag?). Nonetheless, I suppose seeking solace in a meaningful relationship with other men (but I assume she realizes that none of these relationships are actually meaningful at all), she goes from one man to another, which serves only to further aggravate her father and others around her. Set in the late 40s/early 50s England, her outlandish, exhibitionist behavior is perceived as much more wild and offensive as she attempts to basically turn any convention about young women of the period on its head. (Whether this is to gain her father's attention, I'm never sure). Until the ultimate staging of independence (see the movie, why don't'cha?).As odd as the film was (I especially was amused by Lynda's intent to use as much foul language as possible whenever the opportunity presented itself, which was often), Emily Lloyd did a fine job in the lead character. Although she is familiar to these types of roles, reminiscent of her character, Cookie (Cookie, 1989) or Samantha (In Country, 1989), or countless other films that she appeared in, portraying the same type of character. It is not at all surprising that her film debut role would garner her Best Actress awards (British honors and the National Society of Film Critics Awards--US). She was an excellent choice for the part and that is reason alone to see it.

giraffelover This is one of my alltime favorites. Emily Lloyd is my favorite actress and I've seen this film 8 times. It is funny, it is poignant and it is a classic movie.