SPOILERS After appearing in television series "Press Gang", yet many years before his role in "Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" (1998), a British minor celebrity called Dexter Fletcher appeared in "The Rachel Papers". Sometimes put forward as the British equivalent of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986), the film is a decent enough attempt which improves as the story progresses and keeps you entertained throughout.
Charles Highway (Fletcher) is a bright 19 year old about to head to Oxford. Meeting Rachel Noyce (the beautiful Ione Skye) at a club one night, Highway falls instantly for her and sets about trying to seduce her.
Like so many teen based stories of the last few decades, "The Rachel Papers" offers it's advice on sleeping with women. As a form of guidance to the teen generations, these films are often funny and inspiring. Changing the pattern slightly, this story has it's moments of humour, but the majority of the time it remains straight faced (whether intentional or not) and not as inspiring as it could be. Choosing to have the main characters evolve as individuals, without romance being the crucial factor, the film charts Charles' ascension into maturity, and it handles this topic well.
One of the main reasons for the success of this film perhaps is a strong performing cast. In supporting roles it includes Jonathan Pryce, James Spader, and a brief cameo by Michael Gambon. All three perform well enough, with Pryce in particular portraying his character brilliantly. In the main roles too, both Skye and Fletcher are brilliant as the young couple who fall for each other. Despite the fact that Skye is beautiful and Fletcher is not what most would consider attractive, the way the two actors portray their developing affection is impressive and realistic.
The success of this film depends most definitely upon what the intentions of director / scriptwriter Damian Harris were. If Harris intended to cause considerable laughs, the film might be viewed as a failure. If he intended however to show us how an unlikely couple might form, then Harris has succeeded brilliantly. "The Rachel Papers" is one of those films which require further viewings. Almost inspiring at times, it reminds us of that awkwardness around women which many suffer from at a younger age. Not particularly funny, but definitely entertaining.
Charles Highway (Fletcher) is a bright 19 year old about to head to Oxford. Meeting Rachel Noyce (the beautiful Ione Skye) at a club one night, Highway falls instantly for her and sets about trying to seduce her.
Like so many teen based stories of the last few decades, "The Rachel Papers" offers it's advice on sleeping with women. As a form of guidance to the teen generations, these films are often funny and inspiring. Changing the pattern slightly, this story has it's moments of humour, but the majority of the time it remains straight faced (whether intentional or not) and not as inspiring as it could be. Choosing to have the main characters evolve as individuals, without romance being the crucial factor, the film charts Charles' ascension into maturity, and it handles this topic well.
One of the main reasons for the success of this film perhaps is a strong performing cast. In supporting roles it includes Jonathan Pryce, James Spader, and a brief cameo by Michael Gambon. All three perform well enough, with Pryce in particular portraying his character brilliantly. In the main roles too, both Skye and Fletcher are brilliant as the young couple who fall for each other. Despite the fact that Skye is beautiful and Fletcher is not what most would consider attractive, the way the two actors portray their developing affection is impressive and realistic.
The success of this film depends most definitely upon what the intentions of director / scriptwriter Damian Harris were. If Harris intended to cause considerable laughs, the film might be viewed as a failure. If he intended however to show us how an unlikely couple might form, then Harris has succeeded brilliantly. "The Rachel Papers" is one of those films which require further viewings. Almost inspiring at times, it reminds us of that awkwardness around women which many suffer from at a younger age. Not particularly funny, but definitely entertaining.