Customer Reviews

The Rachel Papers

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A very good movie, not quite up to the standard of the book it is based on (and follows rather closely).

The book was written from the point of view of the main character, but it has two voices. One was Charles Highway's inner meanderings and pronouncements, the other (still by Charles) was the unadorned, unanalysed description of the things that happened to him. And generally there is a glaring difference between the two - they don't match up. In the view of the first voice, Charles is a wise and funny schemer. But the events related in the second voice show him to be inept, unlucky, and chronically unsure of himself. The ending was similarly riven. You can't tell if things ended-up the way they did by choice or design. Perhaps the author didn't know.

So anyway, the movie has to deal with that dichotomy, and it does it by pretty much ignoring the second voice. Charles comes across as boastful and shallow, for the most part, and a lot less likeable. The film also has to drop a lot of his hilarious caustic monolgues, so it's less funny than the book, too. That being said, there's enough left to allow fans of the book to fill in the blanks, and it doesn't attempt to force in a standard Hollywood ending. Plus the three main actors and the supporting cast were very good - Jonathon Pryce as Charles' deranged uncle is so good that it's hard to keep your eyes on Ione Skye in the few scenes they have together.

This is a terrific coming of age movie, probably one of the best from the 80's. The main character, Charles Highway, uses his computer to map out his mating strategy. This works very well for him until he meets Rachel and falls in love. Rachel is beautiful, has a boyfriend and is way out of his league, but this doesn't stop Charles. It's fun to watch Charles as he is trying to win Rachel's heart. This is a wonderful bittersweet romance and I would recommend this to anyone who ever loved someone who was just beyond their reach.

In Skye's only movie worth seeing other than the incredible Say Anything, we see a slightly edgier "romance" than in Say Anything.

Fletcher, who lives with his sister (like in Say Anything) has a crush on the gorgeous intelligent Skye (like her character in Say Anything).

In this film, however, there is another man (Spader). That adds a bit of intrigue to Fletcher's pursuit. Another significant difference is that the relationship is, shall we say consummated, onscreen (thus the R-rating). Notwithstanding the joy of seeing Skye in her most "revealing" role, this film has that kind of British sensibility that makes it an enjoying ride.

However, don't expect the sophistication of Say Anything. Just an entertaining little flick with good dialogue and intriguing relationships.

Come on critics, lighten up. This movie is pure fun. I love it as much in my 40's as I did in my 20's. It may not be hip enough for later generations, but if you came of age in the 80's - it should remind you of yourself, and make you smile.

Yes, Ione is stunningly beautiful, and the direction is awesomely tailored to capitalize on that fact. Highly stylish.

There is a catchy soundtrack; and, dare I admit it, I could relate to Charles Hiway far too many times. The Rachel Papers captures perfectly the chase, the rapture, and the disappointments of that first killer crush. I love this movie! ... enough to waste my precious time to write a review of it. :)

Perhaps not on par with the novel but more accessible. Although brilliant and highly original, I think Martin Amis' first book contains some obscure passages and insider English schoolboy jokes. Also, the 1970's setting of the book has been replaced by the 1980's in the movie.

Ione Skye and Dexter Fletcher portray the growing relationship between Rachel & Charles rather well. James Spader fills in nicely as DeForest, the rival boyfriend. The college scene with Michael Gambon as Doctor Knowd is particularly humorous.

A good study in adolescence.

I'm 39 and STILL love this movie. Saw it first while in my 20's and this is still one of my favorite movies of all time!! Ione Skye is stunning in this movie - you definitely won't be disappointed!! Saw her recently in a television show about the FBI and she doesn't look NEARLY as good as she did in this movie. Her personality was also very good in this movie. James Spader is pretty good too. Sad to say, I STILL can't find a copy of the soundtrack, which is GREAT!!

The book that this movie is based on, made me fall in love with modern Englishmen. And the movie is just wonderful and so enjoyable.

The Rachel Papers was culled from the thinnly veiled autobigraphical first novel of Martin Amis published in 1973, and subsequently made into a film in 1989. The protagonist, and therefore an ego projection of Martin Amis, is Charles Highway. Portraying Highway in the film was Dexter Fletcher, who looks exactly as he sounds: mouth-wise he's a mite Jaggeresque. Perhaps more like a cross between Mick J. and Don Knotts, eyes slightly abulge as if he was one of the rubber dolls they sell at the fair whose eyes bulge out when you squeeze 'em.

He makes a surprisingly sympathetic underdog in his quest for the eponymous Rachel. Though he uses a Commodore Amiga A500 computer (which is what is Pong to Grand Theft Auto III?) he types surprisingly sophisticated schemes on how to conduct his conquest of the Holy Grail of Rachel. Each chance encounter is strictly choreographed, each move blocked out. The scenery is set, magazines and poetry laid out as if he actually read them, rather than was merely projecting a persona. A whole plethora of personality is put on for the show. Here is an example of what he is typing so intensely on his Amiga:

Charles Highway: Now, I'm surprisingly ineffective on the telephone so I find there are four basic requirements I need on making the first call.
Number 1: visual stimulants. Number 2: other stimulants.
Number 3: mood music. And, most importantly,
number 4: a tight and effective working script.

Making young Mr. Fletcher's task of appearing enthralled infinitely easier is the the enticing enchantress, Ione Skye. Daughter of Scottish crooner Donovan, she has carved out a career in her own right as an actress. Here, she manages to look both beautiful and intelligent. The most difficult part of Ione's job was to appear entrhalled with Dexter Fletcher's Highway. That she not only believably chose him over her other suitor, Deforest (James Spader) but also was able to recite the poetry of her favorite poet, John Dunne was an acting tour de force. If I had a private conversation with God I would have begged him to create her. Still she can't escape her father's shadow completely. Ione appears in David Fincher's "Zodiac" for which the recurrent theme music is her father (Donovan)'s song "Hurdy Gurdy Man".

I must make mention of James Spader once more. His character, Deforest, nemesis of Highway, always foiling his schemes, is a small but seminal role. Spader is always ahead of the pack, giving his off beat characters always just the proper amount of twist.

Also worthy of mention is Jonnathan Pryce, who portrays brother-in-law Norman. He is a long haired lout, crude and brutish even, but not such a bad brother-in-law when the chips are down.

In summary, this film is an unexpected gem. Though it is sometimes tough to understand the thick British accents, those accents add immeasurably to The Rachel Paper's rogueish charm. Dexter's mug turns out to be quite a watchable face. Fletcher's course features exaggerate his emotions, like clown makeup applied with broad strokes, so even those shmoes seated in the back rows get a good gander at what he's a' thinkin'. Sometimes he addresses the camera directly a la Ferris Beuhler. Other times there is just a faint glimmer of a wink to tear down the fourth wall. Either way, it's a gimmick, but it's a gimmick that seldom fails. In some ways the film is a self-made seminar on seduction. You want to see just how far our amourous swain can take his limited charm and raffish looks.

Actually, I started to warm up to this film when he had me with Burt Bacharah's "This Guy's In Love With You." Even though DeForest suddenly burst in and trampled on the dream, there it was: my ultimate fantasy laid bare. I always wanted to serenade my true love with that little number. That is my own true wish, right up there with singing "Volare" at an Italian wedding in Milan, Venice, or Tuscany, while wearing an Italian suit and sunglasses, holding a glass of chablis.

LINKS AND CONNECTIONS

The Rachel Papers (1973) (first novel of Martin Amis)

JAMES SPADER:

Crash (1996/I) .... James Ballard
sex, lies, and videotape (1989) .... Graham Dalton
Secretary (2002) .... Mr. Grey

JONATHAN PRYCE:

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) .... James Lingk
Brazil (1985) .... Sam Lowry

IONE SKYE:

Zodiac (2007/I) (uncredited) .... Kathleen Johns
Dream For an Insomniac (1996) .... Frankie
The Size of Watermelons (1996) .... Maggie
Wayne's World (1992) .... Elyse
Say Anything (1989) .... Diane Court
A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon (1988) .... Denise Hunter
River's Edge (1986) (as Ione Skye Leitch) .... Clarissa

Charles Highway: I notice you don't have a drink.
Rachel Noyce: Are you giving this party?
Charles Highway: Certainly not. Parties of this kind are not given, they're received.

I'm a huge James Spader fan and purchased this DVD based upon the glowing reviews of the movie. All I can ask is, "What were you smoking when you watched the movie?" Seriously, it is awful. If feels like the director was trying to capture the magic of the 80s flicks when the geek would get the girl, but they failed miserably. The good guy in the movie is actually the bad guy. He is a womanizing geek that steals someone else's girlfriend, sleeps with them, creates a computer journal of all that transpired, then leaves them. Not a feel good movie at all.

For the James Spader fans, don't buy this move to see his performance. He has approximately 3 very small appearances. It won't feed the need.

For Ione Skye fans, do not buy this movie to see her revealing scenes. My guy is a fan of hers and he couldn't watch the scenes due to Dexter Fletcher. Quite frankly, neither could I. Fast forward anyone?

I will be trashing this DVD. It isn't even good enough to give to someone else.

To summarize, boring, gross, womanizing, bad bad bad. I still can't figure out why it garnered good reviews from others.

Great movie. Very engaging. Very realistic story. Excellent acting. All in all one of the best movies I've seen in a long time.