This one was an odd, passionate and snappy one, and it's very much more than just a basic teenage love comedy, but it does feel a like a British take on 'Ferris Bueller'. Based on Martin Amis' best seller of the same title, 'The Rachel Papers' is a sensually breezy and topically substantial film adaptation that's poetically told (with plenty of rapid narrative talk to the audience, following the mature progression of our protagonist and cementing a realistic affection between Fletcher and Skye's characters), sharply directed by Damian Harris and terrifically performed by the charmingly gawky Dexter Fletcher, the ravishingly delightful Ione Skye (where she seductively entices the viewer with her beauty) and the scruffy, but useful Jonathan Pryce (who pretty much steals the limelight and well-timed laughs). Also appearing is James Spader, but the role doesn't instill much from him to make an impression. The soundtrack is potent with the time, but the score blends well the drama going on and it's smoothly photographed. A sexy contemporary, but heartfelt feature.
29 Reviews
or, as I call it, "UK's Ferris Bueller Gets Lucky"
pgreyy26 June 1999
Despite some fine performances and great source material, this movie doesn't stand up as well as I'd hoped it would. It's either too dark and serious for the comedy it hopes to be or it's too gauzy for the serious look at modern teenagers in Britain that it hopes to be.
Still, it's interesting to see Dexter "did you know I was in Bugsy Malone AND Lock, Stock & 2 Smoking Barrells" Fletcher, Ione "wow, am I really this naked in this movie" Skye, Jonathon "why aren't I working more often?" Pryce and James "didn't I play this same character only with more lines in Pretty in Pink" Spader in a movie that hardly any American has ever heard of...
This has its clever moments, its funny moments, its heartbreaking moments and a few moments that are meant to be (and are) disturbing... It's not as clever as its American cousin, or as funny...but it does have a bit more depth...and Ione Skye is REALLY naked in it.
That's worth a rental, isn't it?
Still, it's interesting to see Dexter "did you know I was in Bugsy Malone AND Lock, Stock & 2 Smoking Barrells" Fletcher, Ione "wow, am I really this naked in this movie" Skye, Jonathon "why aren't I working more often?" Pryce and James "didn't I play this same character only with more lines in Pretty in Pink" Spader in a movie that hardly any American has ever heard of...
This has its clever moments, its funny moments, its heartbreaking moments and a few moments that are meant to be (and are) disturbing... It's not as clever as its American cousin, or as funny...but it does have a bit more depth...and Ione Skye is REALLY naked in it.
That's worth a rental, isn't it?
love the two leads
SnoopyStyle26 January 2016
Charles Highway (Dexter Fletcher) sees himself as a player and keeps girls' info in his computer. He has worked out strategies to get girls. He lives with his sister Jenny and her oddball husband Norman (Jonathan Pryce). He is completely taken by mysterious American Rachel Noyce (Ione Skye). She doesn't seem interested but he's persistent. He thinks he has a date with her but then her boyfriend Deforest (James Spader) shows up. Norman convinces him to continue persistence.
This is a pretty simple romance. Dexter Fletcher plays a Ferris Bueller wannabe and he fits the role very well. I can see how girls would find him charming but he's not suave. Ione Skye is a great smart sexy girlfriend material as shown in "Say Anything..." which came out around the same time. She seems really deep and mature for her age. The two of them make this a nice sexy romance and I love the bittersweet ending.
This is a pretty simple romance. Dexter Fletcher plays a Ferris Bueller wannabe and he fits the role very well. I can see how girls would find him charming but he's not suave. Ione Skye is a great smart sexy girlfriend material as shown in "Say Anything..." which came out around the same time. She seems really deep and mature for her age. The two of them make this a nice sexy romance and I love the bittersweet ending.
British teen story about love which improves as it progresses
TheNorthernMonkee6 January 2005
Warning: Spoilers
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.
Not absolutely horrible, but certainly not absolutely brilliant. Disappointing film
PrincessBoy12 November 2005
A-ha, a guide to the do's and don'ts of dating on the big screen.
I've always liked Martin Amis' works, and 1974's The Rachel Papers was his first novel, and still one of his best. Despite the fact that this 1989 film adaptation has now become something of a cult classic in the UK, however, I doubt Amis would have approved of it had it been laid before him prior to it's release.
There's a host of famous faces in this film, including Dexter Fletcher, Bill Patterson (albeit briefly), James Spader, Michael Gambon (in cameo) and Jonathan Pryce. Why they chose ex-Gamesmaster host from the post-Dominik Diamond days Dexter Fletcher (also known for his roles in Press Gang, Bugsy Malone and Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels) as the cocky, arrogant, obnoxious, precocious, phenomenally intelligent and highly sexed-up Charles Highway I'll never know, as he is simply too self-conscious for the part. Ione Skye, equally, made a none-too-good job out of what was, in fairness, the very difficult task of playing the seductive Rachel Noyce. That said, few male viewers would object to the chance of seeing the attractive Skye naked in any film, while Fletcher's charm, wit, and posturing do show sporadically, but not often enough. Dexter Fletcher (or Dexter Dipsh*t as 'Godspeed You Black Emperor' rather unkindly calls him) has had a lot of bad press over the years, but he is actually a far better actor than many people give him credit for, but he simply wasn't suited for the lovable rogue he aspired to be in 'The Rachel Papers' - Matthew Broderick or Gordon John-Sinclair would have been a better choice for the part.
The acting is not totally without merit; Jonathan Pryce is absolutely hilarious in his portrayal of Charles' lunatic brother-in-law Norman and revels in the role, while (the then-unknown) Jared Harris is excellent as Charles' best mate - and mentor/big brother figure - Geoff, but the rest of the cast simply look uninspired. Bill Patterson, Michael Gambon and James Spader are, unquestionably, all very talented actors (although Patterson and - in particular - Spader were both very poor in this film) - why weren't they utilised more?
The film does boast some very typically 80s music and visuals (a la "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", "WarGames", "Back To The Future", "The Breakfast Club", "Gregory's Girl" etc.), which are a godsend for anyone who likes their retro 80s backdrops. Despite what 'Godspeed You Black Emperor' says, the fact that a film displays seemingly incessant 80s music and backdrops is not necessarily a bad thing in itself; after all, the film came out in 1989 and was aimed aimed at a contemporary teen audience, so just what was he expecting - that it would be set in the 1800s or something?!
The opening titles give more than a nod towards those featured in the first "Back To The Future" film, but there is some cool incidental music, plus the soundtrack boasts Willy DeVille's lovely tear-jerker "Assassin Of Love", the seductive "Electric Moon" and the sassy "You Made Me", both by Shakespeare's Sister, and Jools Holland's catchy "We're Through", which plays as the closing credits roll.
All in all, however, this film fails to recapture the spirit of Martin Amis' original novel. In summary - quite good in parts, and a noble effort to bring Martin Amis' finest work to the big screen, but falls too much into mediocrity overall.
It's nowhere near as catastrophic as 'Godspeed You Black Emperor's very harsh review makes it out to be (bearing in mind that he described it as an "embarassing train-wreck of a movie" despite then going on to admit to not having watched the whole film, which to my mind makes his comments count for very little), but there's no way it will ever be held in the same high regard as any of the other classic 80s films I've name-checked in this review.
As an aside - Notably, Dexter Fletcher took an enormous amount of criticism for trying to copy Matthew Broderick's style of monologuing to the camera in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". However, in his defence, the original novel was told from the point of view of a narrator describing physical as well as emotional experiences in a format not unlike a diary, therefore it is difficult to think of any other way that he could possibly have played Charles Highway. In this respect, the Bueller-isms could have been (and quite possibly were) accidental and unintentional. Aside from the monologuing and the fact that both films have a scene set in a gallery, "The Rachel Papers" is otherwise not even remotely similar to "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", although Fletcher's skill on a computer does evoke memories of a another Matthew Broderick film ("WarGames").
I've always liked Martin Amis' works, and 1974's The Rachel Papers was his first novel, and still one of his best. Despite the fact that this 1989 film adaptation has now become something of a cult classic in the UK, however, I doubt Amis would have approved of it had it been laid before him prior to it's release.
There's a host of famous faces in this film, including Dexter Fletcher, Bill Patterson (albeit briefly), James Spader, Michael Gambon (in cameo) and Jonathan Pryce. Why they chose ex-Gamesmaster host from the post-Dominik Diamond days Dexter Fletcher (also known for his roles in Press Gang, Bugsy Malone and Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels) as the cocky, arrogant, obnoxious, precocious, phenomenally intelligent and highly sexed-up Charles Highway I'll never know, as he is simply too self-conscious for the part. Ione Skye, equally, made a none-too-good job out of what was, in fairness, the very difficult task of playing the seductive Rachel Noyce. That said, few male viewers would object to the chance of seeing the attractive Skye naked in any film, while Fletcher's charm, wit, and posturing do show sporadically, but not often enough. Dexter Fletcher (or Dexter Dipsh*t as 'Godspeed You Black Emperor' rather unkindly calls him) has had a lot of bad press over the years, but he is actually a far better actor than many people give him credit for, but he simply wasn't suited for the lovable rogue he aspired to be in 'The Rachel Papers' - Matthew Broderick or Gordon John-Sinclair would have been a better choice for the part.
The acting is not totally without merit; Jonathan Pryce is absolutely hilarious in his portrayal of Charles' lunatic brother-in-law Norman and revels in the role, while (the then-unknown) Jared Harris is excellent as Charles' best mate - and mentor/big brother figure - Geoff, but the rest of the cast simply look uninspired. Bill Patterson, Michael Gambon and James Spader are, unquestionably, all very talented actors (although Patterson and - in particular - Spader were both very poor in this film) - why weren't they utilised more?
The film does boast some very typically 80s music and visuals (a la "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", "WarGames", "Back To The Future", "The Breakfast Club", "Gregory's Girl" etc.), which are a godsend for anyone who likes their retro 80s backdrops. Despite what 'Godspeed You Black Emperor' says, the fact that a film displays seemingly incessant 80s music and backdrops is not necessarily a bad thing in itself; after all, the film came out in 1989 and was aimed aimed at a contemporary teen audience, so just what was he expecting - that it would be set in the 1800s or something?!
The opening titles give more than a nod towards those featured in the first "Back To The Future" film, but there is some cool incidental music, plus the soundtrack boasts Willy DeVille's lovely tear-jerker "Assassin Of Love", the seductive "Electric Moon" and the sassy "You Made Me", both by Shakespeare's Sister, and Jools Holland's catchy "We're Through", which plays as the closing credits roll.
All in all, however, this film fails to recapture the spirit of Martin Amis' original novel. In summary - quite good in parts, and a noble effort to bring Martin Amis' finest work to the big screen, but falls too much into mediocrity overall.
It's nowhere near as catastrophic as 'Godspeed You Black Emperor's very harsh review makes it out to be (bearing in mind that he described it as an "embarassing train-wreck of a movie" despite then going on to admit to not having watched the whole film, which to my mind makes his comments count for very little), but there's no way it will ever be held in the same high regard as any of the other classic 80s films I've name-checked in this review.
As an aside - Notably, Dexter Fletcher took an enormous amount of criticism for trying to copy Matthew Broderick's style of monologuing to the camera in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". However, in his defence, the original novel was told from the point of view of a narrator describing physical as well as emotional experiences in a format not unlike a diary, therefore it is difficult to think of any other way that he could possibly have played Charles Highway. In this respect, the Bueller-isms could have been (and quite possibly were) accidental and unintentional. Aside from the monologuing and the fact that both films have a scene set in a gallery, "The Rachel Papers" is otherwise not even remotely similar to "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", although Fletcher's skill on a computer does evoke memories of a another Matthew Broderick film ("WarGames").
Nerdy Guy Gets Hot Chick!
checkyeah6 April 2002
I confess: I only watched this movie because a friend of mine told Ione Skye took her clothes off in it. Well, I may not have watched it with the best intentions, but I ended up liking the movie for a lot more than Ione's breasts.
I had a similar relationship at about that time (nerd wins over babe, finds out she's rather annoying) so I could identify with this film.
One scene really got to me (in a good way). Rachel has just climbed into a taxi, but the window is down. Charles finally works up the nerve to try to kiss her through the window. Just as his lips are about to meet hers, the cab pulls away. The look on his face is pitiful but then you see her beautiful smile. A magical scene if ever there was one!
Oh yeah, Ione Skye DOES take her clothes off repeatedly in this movie, so guys who don't go for this sort of thing might give it a chance and be pleasantly surprised. I was.
I had a similar relationship at about that time (nerd wins over babe, finds out she's rather annoying) so I could identify with this film.
One scene really got to me (in a good way). Rachel has just climbed into a taxi, but the window is down. Charles finally works up the nerve to try to kiss her through the window. Just as his lips are about to meet hers, the cab pulls away. The look on his face is pitiful but then you see her beautiful smile. A magical scene if ever there was one!
Oh yeah, Ione Skye DOES take her clothes off repeatedly in this movie, so guys who don't go for this sort of thing might give it a chance and be pleasantly surprised. I was.
Adult Press Gang.....
FlashCallahan18 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Charles is in control of his life. He is about to finish 6th form college and start at Oxford.
He is 19 and wants an 'older' woman before he turns 20. Enter the beautiful Rachel, and Charles puts his 'master-of-seduction' routines into top gear.
Things however get complicated, Charles has a string of ex's and a weird brother-in-law.
Rachel has a boyfriend named Deforest and Charles' father has a mistress...
The first thing you notice about this film is that its a strange mix of Bright Lights, Big City, and Ferris Buellers Day Off. The second thing you notice is how quickly you fall into Charles world.
And finally the third thing you realise is how shallow and pathetic Charles is, and yearn for more Jonathan Pryce. The thing is With the main character is the fact that Fletcher makes him come across as a spoilt brat, someone who may never have to do much work in his life, someone who gets everything for very little.
But having never read the book, I don't know whether this was intentional, having a snivelling middle class squirt breaking the fourth wall and giving me utter spurious advice on the fairer sex.
So when you start to despise the main character, the rest of the cast had better be great. And they are. Skye is wonderful as the titular character, and Pryce steals the show as Norman, the Neanderthal In Law.
So all in all, its not bad, but the main character is one of those people you'd just like to punch in the face.
He is 19 and wants an 'older' woman before he turns 20. Enter the beautiful Rachel, and Charles puts his 'master-of-seduction' routines into top gear.
Things however get complicated, Charles has a string of ex's and a weird brother-in-law.
Rachel has a boyfriend named Deforest and Charles' father has a mistress...
The first thing you notice about this film is that its a strange mix of Bright Lights, Big City, and Ferris Buellers Day Off. The second thing you notice is how quickly you fall into Charles world.
And finally the third thing you realise is how shallow and pathetic Charles is, and yearn for more Jonathan Pryce. The thing is With the main character is the fact that Fletcher makes him come across as a spoilt brat, someone who may never have to do much work in his life, someone who gets everything for very little.
But having never read the book, I don't know whether this was intentional, having a snivelling middle class squirt breaking the fourth wall and giving me utter spurious advice on the fairer sex.
So when you start to despise the main character, the rest of the cast had better be great. And they are. Skye is wonderful as the titular character, and Pryce steals the show as Norman, the Neanderthal In Law.
So all in all, its not bad, but the main character is one of those people you'd just like to punch in the face.
good, but could have been much better
vlvetmorning9814 February 2005
The first film to be adapted from a Martin Amis novel, this cute film stars Dexter Fletcher as Charles Highway, a super-suave young man studying for his Oxford entrance exams. At a nightclub, he spots Rachel Noyce, played by Ione Skye, and he spends the majority of the film trying to pry her away from her beau. The main problem with this film is that Highway is played too much like Ferris Bueller-he even monologues directly to the camera. The novel's very bleak ending was toned down a bit, and the title is a little misleading, as all of his "female papers" are actually composed on a computer in the film. Jonathan Pryce is hilarious in his fleeting scenes.
Grating and awkward
bellino-angelo201417 September 2022
Charles Highway is a college student that is about to attend Oxford University. He is also a computer nerd and uses his skills for seduction and discover everything on the girls in which he is interested. The latest is beautiful Rachel Noyce, and after some time he becomes friends with her. Rachel has a boyfriend tho, Deforest (James Spader) who mistreats her, but with some help Charles will manage to make Rachel leave Deforest. Charles and Rachel become dates, but just as he thought to have found the perfect girl he discovers she has personality flaws and bad habits just like all the others with which he tried or missed. They call it quits, but after a while they spend a day together in a museum and during a party she just kisses him on the cheek, and he reminisces about the William Blake quote of eternal love.
In the first half I was liking this, but as it progressed it became bad and never went back. Dexter Fletcher's performance was grating and it looks like the movie was made just for him to the point that you simply become annoyed, and I just didn't cared about his being a total loser after a while. The others don't have nothing better to do than stand around and being used for the occasional line. Everything else is pretty forgettable.
If you like to watch losers that love to break the fourth wall and see them lose, then this movie is perfect for you. Obviously, some like it, but I can't see any reason why, and don't even care.
In the first half I was liking this, but as it progressed it became bad and never went back. Dexter Fletcher's performance was grating and it looks like the movie was made just for him to the point that you simply become annoyed, and I just didn't cared about his being a total loser after a while. The others don't have nothing better to do than stand around and being used for the occasional line. Everything else is pretty forgettable.
If you like to watch losers that love to break the fourth wall and see them lose, then this movie is perfect for you. Obviously, some like it, but I can't see any reason why, and don't even care.
If there's one thing that mothers don't want to see in you it's whatever it is that their daughters do.
Sylviastel26 April 2020
It's okay film about an American young lady (Ione Skye) and a British young man who intends to go to Cambridge and Oxford in London, England. Charles Highway is played by a decent young actor. The supporting cast is more top notch with Jonathan Pryce and James Spader though. Ione Skye was fine in her performance. The film was somewhat believable at times but unrealistic at other times. The film has some moments but it's not that memorable overall to me about young love between an American girl and a British boy in 1989. I would have loved to have seen more of London sights in the film.
Absolutely horrible.
godspeedyoublackemporer6 September 2004
This has to be the worst movie I've ever seen. Thankfully I didn't watch all of it. I think this Dexter Fletcher retard was looking up to the teen-aged Anthony Michael Hall as his role model of studliness in this embarrassing train-wreck of a movie (and in the process, making the teen-aged Anthony Michael Hall look like Brad Pitt). The incessant 80s music soundtrack was only a little more tolerable than the sound of fingernails scraping a chalkboard. The little asides to the audience - that only worked for Ferris. With *this* movie, Dexter Dipshit's asides just made me want to beat the crap out of him. I mean, here he was, confiding in me, the audience, all his stupid-ass thoughts, as though we were the best of friends. I wanted to make sure he understood we were *not* the best of friends by beating him to a bloody pulp.
Seeing Ione naked should've helped, but it didn't. In fact, watching her writhe around with this little asshole made me never want to have sex again.
This movie is on my list of things to erase from history if ever I get hold of a time machine.
Seriously, this movie sucks major ass. Don't see it. I think I have a brain tumor now.
Seeing Ione naked should've helped, but it didn't. In fact, watching her writhe around with this little asshole made me never want to have sex again.
This movie is on my list of things to erase from history if ever I get hold of a time machine.
Seriously, this movie sucks major ass. Don't see it. I think I have a brain tumor now.
I'm glad that I finally saw it
Tito-810 March 1999
Despite being a little predictable at times, this solid little movie succeeds rather well. Both Fletcher and Skye give wonderful performances as the leads, and Pryce is fun every time he is on the screen. It has a good mix of comedy and drama, and at no point did any of the emotional turns seem out of place. I had been wanting to see this film for some ten years before finally seeing it tonight, and I am very pleased that I took the time to watch it.
Hey, I'm talking to you
tomsview22 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
British filmmakers have always had a good line in films where chaps break off what they are doing, usually the ardent pursuit of the opposite sex, and talk directly to the camera.
Michael Caine in "Alfie" started it, or was it Shakespeare? Anyway as far as films go, Barry Evans used the technique next in "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush", and Dexter Fletcher as Charles Highway gave it another go in this film.
It's an arresting technique breaking the fourth wall. "Alfie" was brilliant while "Mulberry Bush" was hard work saved only by Judy Geeson. "The Rachel Papers" is definitely a notch above that.
Speaking directly to us invites us in like a good friend needing a few pointers.
While cramming to get into Oxford, young Charles spots American Rachel Noyce (Ione Skye). Although Rachel is about the same age, normally she would be way out of Charles' league. She's the most beautiful girl in the room and popular. As is the way of such things, she also has a much older American boyfriend, DeForest (James Spader). I love the way DeForest is so confident in his relationship with Rachel that he is condescending towards Charles, letting him hang around.
Charles, who shares a complicated homelife with his sister and brother in law, begins a plan to win Rachel over that makes the plans of the Dam Busters seem haphazard.
It's fascinating looking back at this movie as Plan Rachel takes shape on Charles' early Commodore computer.
Every now and then, Charles looks us in the eye and takes us into his confidence. To be honest Chas is a charmless lad, conniving, relentless, but arresting looking in a Mick Jagger kind of way. Charles' strength though is in his massive reserves of Chutzpa.
I know this movie doesn't have a high rating critically, but it's quite funny and actually keenly observed, especially when Charles actually gets Rachel to fall for him, then goes off her. He needed a smack obviously, but the ending is bitter sweet.
I think "The Rachel Papers" is slickly made and worth double the ratings it seemed to get. We may not love Charles, but the way he gets to where he should never have been is amusing and different.
Michael Caine in "Alfie" started it, or was it Shakespeare? Anyway as far as films go, Barry Evans used the technique next in "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush", and Dexter Fletcher as Charles Highway gave it another go in this film.
It's an arresting technique breaking the fourth wall. "Alfie" was brilliant while "Mulberry Bush" was hard work saved only by Judy Geeson. "The Rachel Papers" is definitely a notch above that.
Speaking directly to us invites us in like a good friend needing a few pointers.
While cramming to get into Oxford, young Charles spots American Rachel Noyce (Ione Skye). Although Rachel is about the same age, normally she would be way out of Charles' league. She's the most beautiful girl in the room and popular. As is the way of such things, she also has a much older American boyfriend, DeForest (James Spader). I love the way DeForest is so confident in his relationship with Rachel that he is condescending towards Charles, letting him hang around.
Charles, who shares a complicated homelife with his sister and brother in law, begins a plan to win Rachel over that makes the plans of the Dam Busters seem haphazard.
It's fascinating looking back at this movie as Plan Rachel takes shape on Charles' early Commodore computer.
Every now and then, Charles looks us in the eye and takes us into his confidence. To be honest Chas is a charmless lad, conniving, relentless, but arresting looking in a Mick Jagger kind of way. Charles' strength though is in his massive reserves of Chutzpa.
I know this movie doesn't have a high rating critically, but it's quite funny and actually keenly observed, especially when Charles actually gets Rachel to fall for him, then goes off her. He needed a smack obviously, but the ending is bitter sweet.
I think "The Rachel Papers" is slickly made and worth double the ratings it seemed to get. We may not love Charles, but the way he gets to where he should never have been is amusing and different.
Painful
qrt76 May 2003
Film and TV students, use this as a case study of why the British film industry was internationally sniggered at for years until Four Weddings & a Funeral came out.
Trials and tribulations of smart-mouthed Middle class idiot-boy and upper crust stuck-up American girlie getting it together. Predictably implausable plot. Going through the motions acting. Extended naked writhing to make up for it. The UK's version of Ferris Bueller? That's desperate. No brass in this muck.
Only Jonathan Pryce comes out with some credit. Spader is barely utilised. God knows what he thought of all this. I wonder if he has a copy at his house? Perhaps this and Crash for a James Spader double header at the local Blockbuster? Now there's a thought...
3/10
Trials and tribulations of smart-mouthed Middle class idiot-boy and upper crust stuck-up American girlie getting it together. Predictably implausable plot. Going through the motions acting. Extended naked writhing to make up for it. The UK's version of Ferris Bueller? That's desperate. No brass in this muck.
Only Jonathan Pryce comes out with some credit. Spader is barely utilised. God knows what he thought of all this. I wonder if he has a copy at his house? Perhaps this and Crash for a James Spader double header at the local Blockbuster? Now there's a thought...
3/10
Velvet and crowded rooms make me nervous
Max_Lawless27 July 1999
A delight indeed, albeit a little dated now. 8 years ago, this was one of those movies I watched every day almost (along with the Breakfast Club) - hey, I was 19. It deals with what the main character calls his "move into manhood" and centres around Dexter Fletchers character and his "love", Ione Skye.
Martin Amis' novel of the same title is fairly faithfully painted onto the screen, though with tweaks to bring us from the 60's novel to the 80's movie (i.e. less drugs and sex!).
For a British movie, a top cast, excellent acting, memorable script, unusual and racy direction...8/10 today, 10/10 when I was 19!
Martin Amis' novel of the same title is fairly faithfully painted onto the screen, though with tweaks to bring us from the 60's novel to the 80's movie (i.e. less drugs and sex!).
For a British movie, a top cast, excellent acting, memorable script, unusual and racy direction...8/10 today, 10/10 when I was 19!
Read the Book
minoulove3 March 2005
Okay-this is definitely trying to parade around as an English Bueller... but the thing is, is that the book is terrific, and if they just stayed on track using what was there it would've been a lot better. Amis must've gotten huge pay dirt to okay the screenplay and help write it.
My suggestion- go buy the book, or take the book out from your local library and have a good read. Charles Highway is an irritating character but still quite lovable and the movie does him, nor Rachel (who is actually supposed to be English) no justice.
Martin Amis is a talented author, especially in the area of humour, and this movie does not allow for that natural laugh to come through. In many areas it seems like a low rent British "Fast Times" with the characters rolling around on the ground in lousy sex scenes and then stumbling through lines of dialogue as if they had just gotten the script that morning. It is too bad Amis let whatever it is that got in the way of a good film, get in the way of a good film.
My suggestion- go buy the book, or take the book out from your local library and have a good read. Charles Highway is an irritating character but still quite lovable and the movie does him, nor Rachel (who is actually supposed to be English) no justice.
Martin Amis is a talented author, especially in the area of humour, and this movie does not allow for that natural laugh to come through. In many areas it seems like a low rent British "Fast Times" with the characters rolling around on the ground in lousy sex scenes and then stumbling through lines of dialogue as if they had just gotten the script that morning. It is too bad Amis let whatever it is that got in the way of a good film, get in the way of a good film.
Painful insincerity, and a story of a lusty hacker, from Thatcher's late 80s
fateofmo17 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
As a New Yorker in my teens, when I scoped this movie at the used bin, I admit I had only some foggy interest in Martin Amis's book, this film was supposed to be from. This was a beeline for me, to sixties folkie Donovan Leitch's actress-daughter Ione Skye, who was getting eyes the same year, as John Cusack's trophy interest in Say Anything (1989). In that show, Skye played the glowing "Class Brain" that Cusack has to clever and charm his way, to get to. In this movie, the situation is actually flipped in spite of starting out kind of similarly.
On appearances it looks like Skye, who has the titular role, is an honor student and society princess being groomed for the good life, that our annoying Ferris Bueller wannabe Charles (Fletcher, of Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels) is beyond his brand for. Even the name Rachel, it turns out, means purity of a female sheep. But that impression is shattered with smutty (and painfully insincere) purpose by director Harris when, after Charles manages to purloin Rachel from her Oxford-bound boyfriend DeForest (Spader) during a cafe date, he discovers her ambitions aren't for the city of dreaming spires, but a modeling agency in LA. To put it fast and terribly, all of Charles's maneuvering with books (despite proving out to be, unbelievably, an Oxfordian in disguise like the novelist Amis) to impress Rachel, is really to put his dream girl of poetry, on a dodgy pedestal. It's a pedestal where she's dressed (in Charles, and director Harris's mind) as an illiterate French maid. And, well, Rachel doesn't struggle either when DeForest spots her sprawled across his living room floor, with Charles, who manages to hack her social file-tree easily (Charles's files on his Amiga are data entries about his social gets). So they're both liars, having bested Britain's best, at his starchy game. Dexter Fletcher, plays precocious Charles (actually Fletcher was 30-years old looking 17), mugging the camera with his teeth, inviting all antisocial techies in the late 1980s, to arm themselves with Commodore Amigas, Rambo style (Amis's social hacker tale gets an upgrade with the puters). He lives with his sister, funded probably by her hippie thief boyfriend, played by young Jonathan Pryce (Brazil) as the story's true social gatecrasher, Norman. Norman's crime is to torment Charles's pretend art-loving absentee father at a dinner party, with PDA (Public Display Of Alcoholism) that also welcomes Rachel front and center, to the Thatcher joke, that's actually in with the Thatchers. Moral of this story is no harm done, when done to a good soundtrack, and all parties are effectively unchallenged at the end. For honest people who care, there's inborn weird Aubrey Morris, in a small part, and Michael Gambon. And lots of Ione Skye Leitch, in a nude makeup remover commercial.
On appearances it looks like Skye, who has the titular role, is an honor student and society princess being groomed for the good life, that our annoying Ferris Bueller wannabe Charles (Fletcher, of Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels) is beyond his brand for. Even the name Rachel, it turns out, means purity of a female sheep. But that impression is shattered with smutty (and painfully insincere) purpose by director Harris when, after Charles manages to purloin Rachel from her Oxford-bound boyfriend DeForest (Spader) during a cafe date, he discovers her ambitions aren't for the city of dreaming spires, but a modeling agency in LA. To put it fast and terribly, all of Charles's maneuvering with books (despite proving out to be, unbelievably, an Oxfordian in disguise like the novelist Amis) to impress Rachel, is really to put his dream girl of poetry, on a dodgy pedestal. It's a pedestal where she's dressed (in Charles, and director Harris's mind) as an illiterate French maid. And, well, Rachel doesn't struggle either when DeForest spots her sprawled across his living room floor, with Charles, who manages to hack her social file-tree easily (Charles's files on his Amiga are data entries about his social gets). So they're both liars, having bested Britain's best, at his starchy game. Dexter Fletcher, plays precocious Charles (actually Fletcher was 30-years old looking 17), mugging the camera with his teeth, inviting all antisocial techies in the late 1980s, to arm themselves with Commodore Amigas, Rambo style (Amis's social hacker tale gets an upgrade with the puters). He lives with his sister, funded probably by her hippie thief boyfriend, played by young Jonathan Pryce (Brazil) as the story's true social gatecrasher, Norman. Norman's crime is to torment Charles's pretend art-loving absentee father at a dinner party, with PDA (Public Display Of Alcoholism) that also welcomes Rachel front and center, to the Thatcher joke, that's actually in with the Thatchers. Moral of this story is no harm done, when done to a good soundtrack, and all parties are effectively unchallenged at the end. For honest people who care, there's inborn weird Aubrey Morris, in a small part, and Michael Gambon. And lots of Ione Skye Leitch, in a nude makeup remover commercial.
Ione Skye is OUTSTANDING
Gershom51721 May 2006
This is an excellent movie that is underrated. Performance by Ione Skye is OUTSTANDING. Not only is she beautiful and sexy, this lady is an excellent actress. I look forward to seeing more from her in the future. I highly recommend viewing this film. I am currently looking for a source to purchase it. I think you will be wanting to add it to your library. I know that I want it in mine. I do not recommend this movie for children or young teens. Excellent film for those who like to follow a story line that includes sex, passion, and emotional drama. Those who like a coming of age movie may like this one. Please read these reviews and then comment once you have seen this movie. I would like to read your comments too.
Very bad adaptation.
Mordred66621 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
(This review briefly touches on elements of the film and book, and so I have tagged it as having spoilers.)
So, I read The Rachel Papers and watched the film about two days after.
My initial opinion is as follows. As a film, it is kind of average. As an adaptation of the (also in my opinion, brilliant) book it is terrible. There were so many scenes and ideas and character nuances that did not make it into the film that really set an atmosphere for the book. I feel the main problem is that they tried to make an 80s teenage romantic comedy out of a book that has much, much more going for it - not to mention that the ending is not very funny or happy (the book, I mean).
One of the better characters portrayed in the film is Norman, and I must just say that he was rather fantastic. DeForest (James Spader) was also very good, despite having little screen time. However, the characters of Charles and Rachel seem underdeveloped in the film. In the case of Charles, I only notice this lack of development because I read the book. As far as Charles is concerned, he is way too likable in the film, especially when compared to the book. This may be subjective, but by the end of the book readers tend to hate him, and rightly so. Charles Highway is a narcissistic asshole. He does things for experience and doesn't really care about other people. Rachel gets close to him actually caring about someone, but by the end Charles is still rather unsympathetic and doesn't know how to handle emotion. In the film, he is funny and a little confused, and he manages to become a better person. I was a bit taken aback.
Why am I upset about them making the film 'happier'? Because that was the appeal of the book - it was gritty, raw and had real characters. This was lost in the film, and in my opinion, that is losing a large part of the narrative. The same atmosphere and ideas were not generated in the film, and it is a pity. Some of the scenes in the book lend themselves so well to film adaptation. For example, right before Rachel and Charles are to have sex for the first time, they head out to buy condoms. This scene contains very interesting dialogue and sets an important tone for their relationship. Yet, the director ignored these key scenes and focused on the funny or witty moments of the book, turning it into a fun-loving experience for young adults. For me, this really did not work.
All in all, I just think that it is a very bad adaptation. Too much was changed. Important scenes were left out. Characters were not developed (as they are in the book). And like I said, even without having read the book, the film was rather mediocre for me. 5/10 at best.
So, I read The Rachel Papers and watched the film about two days after.
My initial opinion is as follows. As a film, it is kind of average. As an adaptation of the (also in my opinion, brilliant) book it is terrible. There were so many scenes and ideas and character nuances that did not make it into the film that really set an atmosphere for the book. I feel the main problem is that they tried to make an 80s teenage romantic comedy out of a book that has much, much more going for it - not to mention that the ending is not very funny or happy (the book, I mean).
One of the better characters portrayed in the film is Norman, and I must just say that he was rather fantastic. DeForest (James Spader) was also very good, despite having little screen time. However, the characters of Charles and Rachel seem underdeveloped in the film. In the case of Charles, I only notice this lack of development because I read the book. As far as Charles is concerned, he is way too likable in the film, especially when compared to the book. This may be subjective, but by the end of the book readers tend to hate him, and rightly so. Charles Highway is a narcissistic asshole. He does things for experience and doesn't really care about other people. Rachel gets close to him actually caring about someone, but by the end Charles is still rather unsympathetic and doesn't know how to handle emotion. In the film, he is funny and a little confused, and he manages to become a better person. I was a bit taken aback.
Why am I upset about them making the film 'happier'? Because that was the appeal of the book - it was gritty, raw and had real characters. This was lost in the film, and in my opinion, that is losing a large part of the narrative. The same atmosphere and ideas were not generated in the film, and it is a pity. Some of the scenes in the book lend themselves so well to film adaptation. For example, right before Rachel and Charles are to have sex for the first time, they head out to buy condoms. This scene contains very interesting dialogue and sets an important tone for their relationship. Yet, the director ignored these key scenes and focused on the funny or witty moments of the book, turning it into a fun-loving experience for young adults. For me, this really did not work.
All in all, I just think that it is a very bad adaptation. Too much was changed. Important scenes were left out. Characters were not developed (as they are in the book). And like I said, even without having read the book, the film was rather mediocre for me. 5/10 at best.
Like Donnie Darko but sexier
tooshyshygirl198125 June 2004
My first taste of 80s movies came with the Breakfast Club and most recently I saw Donnie Darko, okay not an 80s film but a film with a plot set in 1988. The love btw the characters in Donnie Darko is nothing compared to the Rachel Papers, in fact the Rachel Papers offers a deeper sense of love, literally. Now Darko fans please don't kill me I am not comparing the films, but the love between the characters.
I was led to this film after wandering the aisles at my local video store. After seeing the video cover, which featured the pair smiley on a vespa I decided to read the back of this video. The plot seemed fun and interesting, movies with nerds trying to win the girl always please me as its comical to watch them achieve their goal. I bought the video and enjoyed it, the film had it all. Laughter, shock in the initial watching, suspense if Charles would ever get the girl, and of course a sexy main lead by way of a young Dexter Fletcher. The film is excellent and it surprises me that the movie never caught on back then. A movie like that in 1989, released now in the world we live in 2004 would probably be a hit among teenagers now with the internet and everyone trying to get it on. Ah the Rachel Papers make me reminisce of love back in my early College years, it will probably make you reminisce of lost love. This film is not one to miss.
I was led to this film after wandering the aisles at my local video store. After seeing the video cover, which featured the pair smiley on a vespa I decided to read the back of this video. The plot seemed fun and interesting, movies with nerds trying to win the girl always please me as its comical to watch them achieve their goal. I bought the video and enjoyed it, the film had it all. Laughter, shock in the initial watching, suspense if Charles would ever get the girl, and of course a sexy main lead by way of a young Dexter Fletcher. The film is excellent and it surprises me that the movie never caught on back then. A movie like that in 1989, released now in the world we live in 2004 would probably be a hit among teenagers now with the internet and everyone trying to get it on. Ah the Rachel Papers make me reminisce of love back in my early College years, it will probably make you reminisce of lost love. This film is not one to miss.
Misplaced Effort for Ms. Skye
eddie_7611410 July 2023
The lovely Ione Skye is put thru sex-scene paces with her insufferable male costar in this substandard film. It strains credulity to imagine what she sees in him. What a waste.
Ms. Skye is beautful, talented, and sexy, but comes off as defiled in this show, which has little to recommend it other than Ione herself. An unfortunate fate for the lovely star of Say Anything. Here's hoping she finds better starring vehicles in her subsequent work.
It would be hard to recommend this show as anything other than an unimpressive sex romp that holds very limited appeal considering the loveliness of Ione Skye.
Ms. Skye is beautful, talented, and sexy, but comes off as defiled in this show, which has little to recommend it other than Ione herself. An unfortunate fate for the lovely star of Say Anything. Here's hoping she finds better starring vehicles in her subsequent work.
It would be hard to recommend this show as anything other than an unimpressive sex romp that holds very limited appeal considering the loveliness of Ione Skye.
Best Movie!!
thorntons3 May 2005
This is one of my favourite movies and I love the music.
Plus it's so 80's.
I can't think of anything bad to say about it.
It's a real shame there's no soundtrack, or none that i can find.
Would like to get hold of some of the instrumental moody music, especially the instrumental music at the end when there is a flashback.
I'm not sure which of the soundtrack listings it would be.
Does anyone know??
I hope someone reads this as I know the movie is quite old now.
Here's hoping!!
Plus it's so 80's.
I can't think of anything bad to say about it.
It's a real shame there's no soundtrack, or none that i can find.
Would like to get hold of some of the instrumental moody music, especially the instrumental music at the end when there is a flashback.
I'm not sure which of the soundtrack listings it would be.
Does anyone know??
I hope someone reads this as I know the movie is quite old now.
Here's hoping!!
A TRULY FUN AND ENTERTAINING MOVIE!
KCGrook4 July 1999
I have found "The Rachel Papers" to be a delightful mix of young convoluted romance, bittersweet in nature, and a bit of cute comedy. I've seen the movie several times, having taped it in 1991, and find it refreshing each time I view it.
I particularly enjoy the music soundtrack which I feel gives each scene its own distinctive flavor. Dexter Fletcher plays an excellent role as an egotistical yet bumbling opportunist, and Ione Skye is outstanding as the target of Dexter's amorous intentions, and is somewhat equally nebulous of mind as is Dexter.
It impresses me as a free-spirited production that does not require a great deal of laborious attention on the part of the viewer, and as such is truly entertaining.
I particularly enjoy the music soundtrack which I feel gives each scene its own distinctive flavor. Dexter Fletcher plays an excellent role as an egotistical yet bumbling opportunist, and Ione Skye is outstanding as the target of Dexter's amorous intentions, and is somewhat equally nebulous of mind as is Dexter.
It impresses me as a free-spirited production that does not require a great deal of laborious attention on the part of the viewer, and as such is truly entertaining.
Sexy and beautiful Skye is a real delight here
lastliberal31 March 2007
This is an excellent movie that appears to have gotten a lot of poor reviews. The performance by Ione Skye is OUTSTANDING. Not only is she beautiful and sexy, she is an excellent actress. And, did I mention that she was beautiful and sexy? Dexter Fletcher (Layer Cake) plays a young man about to enter college who wants some experience with an older woman. He seen Ione Skye (Say Anything...) at a party and puts his step-by-step plan into place. The use of computer to record this may have been innovative at the time, but it is dated and superfluous now.
Jonathon Prych (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest) play a crazy brother-in-law and really adds to the film. James Spader plays Rachel's significant other and really didn't add a thing to the film.
The beautiful and sexy Skye...Oh, I already said she was beautiful and sexy; I'm getting repetitive...Well, it is 4 am and I've just spent two hours enjoying all she has to offer...really, there is no mystery left...So I'll just say that seeing her is well worth the price oft the show.
Jonathon Prych (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest) play a crazy brother-in-law and really adds to the film. James Spader plays Rachel's significant other and really didn't add a thing to the film.
The beautiful and sexy Skye...Oh, I already said she was beautiful and sexy; I'm getting repetitive...Well, it is 4 am and I've just spent two hours enjoying all she has to offer...really, there is no mystery left...So I'll just say that seeing her is well worth the price oft the show.
A Great Comedy
roland-2725 August 1999
Dexter Fletcher stars as Charles Highway. A young man with serious problems with relationships. Until he meets Rachel Noyce(Ione Syke). A sexy, young woman, whose boyfriend is none other than James Spader.
Fletcher is adequate in his post 'Lock Stock' career, but the person who steals every scene with his unusual style of comedy, is Jonathon Pryce, as Charles' brother in law, Norman.
The story is somewhat predictable in parts, but manages to stay watchable for the entire time. Rating=3/5
Fletcher is adequate in his post 'Lock Stock' career, but the person who steals every scene with his unusual style of comedy, is Jonathon Pryce, as Charles' brother in law, Norman.
The story is somewhat predictable in parts, but manages to stay watchable for the entire time. Rating=3/5
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