Private Road

I saw this film in Notting Hill Gate, London, when it first came out in 1971; I was 22 at the time, and probably stoned. Its advertising slogan was 'we saw the stars in Private Road' which somehow caught my attention. It was one of those films that seemed to speak to me personally (Zachariah was another) and had a profound effect on my life, particularly in sending me to Scotland, which set in place a whole fascinating sequence of transformational events in my own personal life and spiritual development. I remember little of the story, although I always fancied Susan Penhaligon; but the filming of the Scottish scenes somehow stirred in me a longing for that clear, wholesome fresh air and natural beauty which has been an inspiration for me all my life. If I could get hold of a copy, I would love to see it again.

Director was in attendance for this one, interesting guy, stopped making films in the 70s but recently started again, and will release "Zohra: A Moroccan Fairy Tale" this year, having been convinced that there are now acceptable distribution routes for his work so that he can make enough money from it. Shh don't mention the m word Barney! Another pretty much unknown British director has his work resurrected by the Edinburgh film festival, most famous for his movie Bronco Bullfrog (1969) a film about skinheads.

It fits into the post-the-Wave theme of the festival well, although initially it seems quite otherwise. A young writer, Peter, who is very cool and dismissive of dad and all that word represents, sum total of the stodgy prudish corporate world of the post-war generation. He lays a dopey but pretty publisher's assistant and they have a great time together, he's like firecrackers, but not scary, defo weaving the right magic for her. Artist status and a clown, and pretty, yeah he's been dealt a royal flush in the romance stakes. Anyway the two of them think they are Belmondo and Karina, and above everything, and head off to the Scottish highlands. He soon discovers though that life requires some discipline, even the life of an artist, and the radical invention that they've come up with, their silly lackadaisical Bohemian life starts to become a credit card that they can't finance.

The initial hate figure of Mr Halpern (Ann's father) gradually comes to be seen as someone who has everyone's best interests as heart. The film develops well and is very very natural. In the end it's about friendship and how having real friends is the most important possession you can have, how they get you through the hard times.

The acting is very good and Platts-Mills seems to have encouraged everyone just to act themselves. It all comes off superbly, he shoots without artifice, yet cleanly and efficiently, and with some kind of a spartan beauty, very natural.

Highly intelligent and realistic fare, seems totally shocking that this has fallen by the wayside. Platts-Mills films are available via his personal website.

London lovers engage adulthood when they decide to share space, he (Robinson) an aspiring but "undisciplined" writer of esoteria, she (Penhaligon) a listless office girl showing flair for the physical arts. The motifs and year of release announce the style (realism), yet, Platts-Mills (d / s-p) tells viewers precious little about where we came from to get where we start (vagaries). Clarity comes as the principals get down to business, i.e., sex, finances, getaways, 3rd party plots and the unexpected. Ann and Peter are gentry, quite attractive and spoiled rotten, he commited to love but has an immaturity (rude to parents, agent) that can't possibly support his supposed talent (See also; Almost Famous), while blondie, simple at first, after coupling turns impish, then practical, prodding Peter's penmanship, giving great hugs, eating with élan (Barker-Mill) (camera) and making a decision on personal autonomy that even today's film makers haven't the wherewithal to storyboard. The leads will endear but it's the support who give it time to happen. Robert Brown (Bond) and Kathleen Byron, nearly unrecognizable from her sinister Sister Ruth (Black Narcissus), are Ann's dedicated parents (no mention of Peter's), Patricia Cutts is the patient literary agent, Hammond Keogh & Sessions are the advertising employers, better than the kid deserves, and Feast & Fenton the friends in trouble, one on drugs, the other politics. It's Feast & Morrissey who, late in the film, play its best scene, Steven's expression when Henry's comely but cold girlfriend (Howe) turns topic, is priceless, while sharing insights that Peter needs to hear (nix the nuptials). The score is embryotic (everyone was The Beatles) but grows on you, and when it's all over (89m), you'll wish there was more. Should be a cult (3/4).

Is one of the best films i have seen in a long time. I felt like my kidneys were being squeezed in opposite directions; what a laugh! As a Withnail fan i was amazed to see Bruce's performance. What an all rounder. A film full enough of greatness that i wanted to undo my belt and fall asleep on the sofa. Platts-Mills, give me more.? What's happened to him? and Susan Penhaligon. Why have artists such as these not blossomed into view and been able to create more of such richness. I was delighted to see Presburger and Powel star Katheline Byron. Puts this film squarely into the deserved lineage of great British movies. I recommend this film greatly. Get out and see it.

I recently purchased this movie on DVD, hence my review. For those of you looking for it the DVD is available direct from the writer/director Barney Platts-Mills website www.platts-mills.com, price £13.

I was expecting great things from this film judging by the reviews already on IMDb and the critical reviews by professionals quoted from newspapers and magazines. And it is certainly a good film, but sadly not a great film in my opinion. Platts-Mills has an unusual style of script-writing/direction, perhaps comparable only to Mike Leigh (Abigail's Party, Nuts in May). This movie has a simple enough story, and stars the lovely Susan Penhaligon as Ann Halpern. She is the rather spoilt daughter of a wealthy stockbroker. She meets struggling author Peter Morrissey (Bruce Robinson) and their relationship develops. They go away to live together, initially in a remote cottage in Scotland, then subsequently in a London flat. He takes a job in London in an advertising agency as he can't get his books published. This movie centres around Ann and Peter's own relationship, their relationship with Ann's parents, and the relationships with their rather close circle of friends, one of whom is junkie.

All the characters are well-played in a semi-improvised style - it's just that, for me at least, the story doesn't really go anywhere. And some things I didn't like: far too many fluffed lines are left in the final cut in the interest of 'reality' and the sole use of the f*** word (by Ann) is dipped out from the soundtrack even though this DVD is distributed in the U.K with a 15 certificate.

We do at least get to see some classic British cars from the 1960s/70s in this film. Ann's father drives a Rover 3500 V8 and Peter drives a Triumph Herald convertible belonging to Ann (her father bought it for her but she doesn't have a full licence to drive!).

In summary: a good film but ultimately disappointing for me as I was expecting more.