This film is a forgotten British Masterpiece, if only for its portrayal of something we still find difficult to come to terms with now in 2016. Everyone has a little inside them of what is shown here, awakening that, sometimes is beyond our own choices, but for us to begin to understand what makes people tick, this film really needs to be watched. There is a little nudity, but more important, there is good all round acting and a solid belief when you reach the end that your time has not been wasted. If you can indeed find a copy i fully recommend you open a bottle of wine, get out the popcorn, close the curtains, lock the door, put out the granny, and enjoy.
Personal Services
1987
Comedy
Personal Services
1987
Comedy
Plot summary
The story of the rise of a madame of a suburban brothel catering to older men, inspired by the real experiences of Cynthia Payne.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
Based on Facts from Cynthia Payne
Witty and Well-done
Very funny movie, one of my favorites. The entire cast was great but Julia Walters was excellent, as always. "Popazokaloo" should have become a household word, apparently not enough people saw the movie. The scene in the loo will make you laugh till you cry. I find it interesting that the men I know that have seen the movie don't find it as amusing as the women who have viewed it do. (Watch it and draw your own conclusions about my observation.)
A real delight
Feisty and resourceful waitress Christine Painter (splendidly played with earthy vigor and steely resolve by Julie Walters) turns to prostitution to support herself. Christine eventually becomes the madame of an immensely successful bordello which happily indulges the kinky carnal whims of an illustrious middle-aged clientèle which includes such respectable folks as judges, bankers, and members of Parliament. Director Terry Jones and screenwriter David Leland concoct a bawdy farce which manages to be quite funny and always engrossing without ever getting too vulgar or sleazy. Instead they treat the sordid subject matter with admirable wit, taste and sensitivity. For example, the clients just want to be accepted and tolerated as the blithely dirty old men that they are. Moreover, there's a surprising and even touching sense of compassion and humanity for the seedy main characters and their seamy profession. In fact, the topic of sexual deviance in its many permutations is handled in a commendably matter of fact way. Walters simply shines in her role; she receives first-rate support from Shirley Stelfox as brash tart Shirley, Danny Schiller as wise old transvestite pal Dotty, Alec McCowen as jolly regular Wing Commander Morten, Tim Woodward as jerky vice cop Timms, and Ewan Hooper as her disapproving father Edward. Well worth seeing.