A slightly overweight, somewhat homely girl (Lynn Redgrave in an Oscar nominated performance) has no boyfriend, is still a virgin and lives with a self centered icy beauty (Charlotte Rampling) for a room mate. Her father's (Bill Owen) aging married employer (James Mason, also Oscar nominated) attempts to make her his mistress but she finds herself attracted to her flatmate's boyfriend (Alan Bates). A popular hit in 1966, the black and white film is a winning combination of heart and humor, keeping the treacle in check yet not without sentiment. It also has a nice feel for the swinging London scene of the 1960s. Redgrave is both adorable and poignant in the title role but the rest of the cast are good too. Especially Rampling who plays the bitchy room mate to perfection yet somehow you can't hate her open honesty, she knows who she is. The film slips into the cutesies occasionally such as when Bates chases Redgrave around London shouting "I love you!" but for the most part, it resists the typical romcom inclinations. I could have done without the annoying title song which defines chirpy, however. Directed by Silvio Narizzano. With Rachel Kempson, Clare Kelly, Dandy Nichols and Dorothy Alison.
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