An absolutely lovely comedy directed by Bill Forsyth, the talent behind Local Hero and several other great films.
Gregory (John Gordon Sinclair) is a schoolboy who is part of the hopeless school football team in a small Scottish town. When the pretty, athletic Dorothy (Dee Hepburn) joins the team, he is instantly smitten. But although he doesn’t know it yet, it’s her Susan (the wonderful Clare Grogan) who truly likes him.
John Gordon Sinclair captures the awkwardness of being a teenager better than anyone else ever has. He’s hilarious in his good-natured but gawky, fumbling attempts to be with the girl he thinks he loves. He’s helped by his little sister Madeline (the remarkably composed Allison Forster), who is much more mature and worldly wise than he is.
Every character is so well drawn. The script is rich enough that each of Gregory’s friends is developed as a fully rounded individual. Plus, so many little details have the ring of truth about them that you can’t help recognising your own youth in these experiences.
There’s a gentle sweetness to this film that makes it timeless. You will never see anything more charming or romantic. And as it works round to its very satisfying conclusion, you realise you have been smiling for the full 90 minutes.
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