Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The very first thing that Emily Lloyd ever did, back in 1987. She is "Lynda"... a youngster and her trials and tribulations in old England. She keeps losing jobs and can't seem to make friends. I'm guessing she would be diagnosed with attention deficit disorder in more modern times, but this was "back in the 1950s", and they didn't really know what to do with her then. She can't seem to get enough, sexually, and defies her dis-approving father. Kind of slow moving, but an interesting period piece from post WW II England. Needed some spiffing up... maybe a stronger script, or maybe some big names in the cast. Everyone gives a fine performance... its just a bit flat and slow. Written and directed by David Leland. Not much info available on him. Lots of "Lelands" in the cast list, so I'm guessing he used family members in his films. An okay way to spend an hour and a half. Some funny bits. (Lynda does an "Up Ya Bum" dance.) Some sad bits. Some plain ol every-day living bits.

Like most of the above reviewers say, this movie is a good film for a laugh and plenty of outrageous behaviour from the protagonist, Lynda. A terrific reproduction of 50s Britain - right down to the dressing gown patterns and minor consumer products. But what is it she really wants and what does she learn from her foolish behaviour? 'Nothing' seems to be the answer. And this 'nothing' seems to be the major theme. It is a film about folly.In many ways Lynda's path is boringly predictable: She has no understanding of the man who manipulates her, nor of the future consequences of her rudeness and impulsive behaviour. One wonders what amount of social realism is represented here for an unmarried mother of the period. Poorly paid jobs, lack of support, a low income to further disable somebody with little patience and understanding of the situation she has largely created for herself. A fun attitude, temporary prettiness and her fast-disappearing youth will not go that far.

Lynda Mansell (Emily Lloyd) is a brash rebellious teenager in a staid post-war English seaside town. She is crude, flirtatious and loves to insult with "Up your bum". She has wild mood swings and constantly gets fired from her jobs. She gets sent to a psychiatrist. She has flings. Her father's bookie pushes his way into her life and she joins in an affair that results in a pregnancy.Emily Lloyd is fantastic. As a drama, the movie needs more tension. She could be challenged by a wife. Or else, she has to have something that could be lost by her behavior. None of the guys are worth a dime. By the movie's own account, it's inevitable that she would separate from her father. If there are no stakes, there is no danger. As a comedy, it has one extremely funny sequence. It's hilarious when she gets fired. The movie needs a few more comedic sequences like that. She needs a partner to play the comedy off of. Emily Lloyd is great but she's alone too much.

An excellent study of austere england in war. A troubled character trying hard to become an adult, with all the petulance associated with teenagers (whatever the decade). It must be a hard film for north americans to watch, no gluto inous consumption, all that human frailty. Good job it wasn't made for them, we European liberals love this sort of thing.