Strange to think that this is set around the same time as Quadrophenia, with a similar modish feel and seaside destination. Like Quad, it has a fine up and coming cast including Oliver Reed, John Alderton, Julia Foster, Derek Nimmo, Derek Hemmings... It starts with a rackety beat group song complete with whoa yeahs! (why is it the Beatles still sound fresh doing that while other bands sound a bit naff and dated?) The 'system' refers to the local lads at Torquay who work out how to pull girls during the summer season when tourists flock to the seaside holiday resort (no easyJet back then). It opens as the lads walk down the train from London checking out the talent and alerting the leader of the gang Tinker (a young but still not particularly boyish Ollie Reed).
Very early on you suss that this film is Alfie without the charm. This may be a good thing, seeing as Alfie isn't exactly a role model. None of the gang are charismatic but the moral trajectory is much the same as Alfie but without any of that Swinging London cheek or sex appeal. Still, it's a fascinating snapshot of the period. Nicolas Roeg did the photography, and er, Michael Winner the directing. Dramatically it faffs about a bit in the final third act.
Very early on you suss that this film is Alfie without the charm. This may be a good thing, seeing as Alfie isn't exactly a role model. None of the gang are charismatic but the moral trajectory is much the same as Alfie but without any of that Swinging London cheek or sex appeal. Still, it's a fascinating snapshot of the period. Nicolas Roeg did the photography, and er, Michael Winner the directing. Dramatically it faffs about a bit in the final third act.