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A 1950s-set classroom drama, it follows a young boy's attempts to curry favour with the school dish
One of British TV's most enduring talents, Jack Rosenthal's credits include adaptations of Kingsley Amis' 'Lucky Jim' and the first ever episode of 'Coronation Street'. Here he fashions an endearing coming-of-age comedy-drama that's quietly moving and full of quaint detail.

Set in the early 1950s and narrated by cricket commentator John Arlott, the simple plot has cricket-obsessed schoolboy Alan Duckworth (Albasiny) playing hooky, bonding with his buddies and lusting after classmate Ann (Cruttenden). Unexpectedly, he wins the leading role in the school play, the final scene of which requires him to land a smacker on Ann. Alison Steadman is the harsh drama teacher with a secret of her own.

It's a sensitive evocation of adolescent anguish full of tender but telling detail. The relationship between Alan and Ann is nicely underplayed and though the tone is low-key, it's an oddly affecting film from the earliest days of Film4.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• film

[dirkbogarde44]

When Ch 4 was interesting. Not now.

[MrMarkhall1]

Pertangyangkipperbang-AR

[timothyw98]

Kinda remind of the film submarine

[pencilpauli]

I love this film

And with the John Arlott commentaries

Brilliant

[S10TAF]

First watched this with my Dad nearly 30 years ago... Paternal Jobosity

[jdougal19]

Jack Rosenthal was a genius. He brought normal life to the screen.

[MrMLD72MLD]

♥ .

[mistofoles]

Nice cameo by Sgt Cryer from THE BILL!

[PokemonBlackLP]

Check out the John Cleese wannabe at 09:53

[MrVulcan09]

What a brill film! Haven't seen it for years. Thanks for loading.