Customer Reviews

Age of Consent [VHS]

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I watched this film after having seen many of the truly outstanding Powell Pressburger WWII vintage films. These are truly archival superb films. Powell was ignored after his heyday, and similarly James Mason made Georgy Girl, but was considered past his prime at this point.
Helen Mirren at 29 in this film had not yet come into her own. Famous for fine acting and "getting her kit on" (nudity without hesitation), she was never a ravashing beauty, but had a youthful and robust appeal. She is extensively nude in underwater swimming scenes, and otherwise here.
This story is not the entertainment here, but watching each of the above work is fascinating. A youthful and naked Mirren is delightful. James Mason is still fully present and the charm of a story unlike most make everything all worthwhile.
I believe Powell has made a film unlike his masterpieces, and working out of his element, he does not make the transition successfully. It is a weak film with wonderful and unique finds for fans of films. Time capsule of sorts that fills in some of the gaps of a well rounded film experience.

Rarely do we see such fine actors as Helen Mirren and James Mason in a character study so simply mythic. To my eyes, Ms Mirren is a rare beauty, and in this movie the filmmakers had the good sense to show her in all her youthful glory. Here too, James Mason is at ease, in a role where he is often the only person on screen. His natural grace and sense of play is evident. Maybe it's that sense of play that I appreciate so much about Age of Consent. It's a crime that this film is not available on DVD.