5/10
Odd story, but Lloyd sells it. (spoilers)
18 September 2005
This is a strange low-budget British drama about a young, promiscuous woman (was Lynda supposed to be a teenager throughout the film?) who asserts her independence in strange way (though less strange by the finale). Her precocious behavior stems from an odd relationship with her family. Once her mother dies, she becomes alienated from her estranged father and her "boring" sister (seriously, what was this kid doing all the time walking around in a scouts uniform carrying a flag?). Nonetheless, I suppose seeking solace in a meaningful relationship with other men (but I assume she realizes that none of these relationships are actually meaningful at all), she goes from one man to another, which serves only to further aggravate her father and others around her. Set in the late 40s/early 50s England, her outlandish, exhibitionist behavior is perceived as much more wild and offensive as she attempts to basically turn any convention about young women of the period on its head. (Whether this is to gain her father's attention, I'm never sure). Until the ultimate staging of independence (see the movie, why don't'cha?).

As odd as the film was (I especially was amused by Lynda's intent to use as much foul language as possible whenever the opportunity presented itself, which was often), Emily Lloyd did a fine job in the lead character. Although she is familiar to these types of roles, reminiscent of her character, Cookie (Cookie, 1989) or Samantha (In Country, 1989), or countless other films that she appeared in, portraying the same type of character. It is not at all surprising that her film debut role would garner her Best Actress awards (British honors and the National Society of Film Critics Awards--US). She was an excellent choice for the part and that is reason alone to see it.
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