The Rachel Papers

Name: The Rachel Papers
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: May 12, 1989
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 56
Cast: Aubrey Morris, Bill Paterson, Claire Skinner, Dexter Fletcher, Ione Skye

1989

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Mixed or average reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews

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Movie Details & Credits

Artédis | Release Date: May 12, 1989 | R

Starring: Aubrey Morris, Bill Paterson, Claire Skinner, Dexter Fletcher, Ione Skye, James Spader, Jared Harris, Jonathan Pryce, Lesley Sharp, Michael Gambon

Summary: Charles is in control of his life; he is about to finish 6th form college and start at Oxford. He is 19 and wants an 'older' woman before he turns 20. Enter the beautiful Rachel, and Charles puts his 'master-of-seduction' routines into top gear. Things however get complicated, Charles has a string of ex's and a weird brother-in-law. RachelCharles is in control of his life; he is about to finish 6th form college and start at Oxford. He is 19 and wants an 'older' woman before he turns 20. Enter the beautiful Rachel, and Charles puts his 'master-of-seduction' routines into top gear. Things however get complicated, Charles has a string of ex's and a weird brother-in-law. Rachel has a boyfriend named Deforest and Charles' father has a mistress.… Expand

Director: Damian Harris

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 95 min

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Critic Reviews

Hal Hinson

This is a film that rides on its spiffy cleverness, its swift wit and smart talk. There's an unexpected, not-tightly-screwed-on sense of comedy on display here that's bright and original even when the story falters. Read full review

Kevin Thomas

While not especially distinctive, the film is pleasant and amusing. It has a brisk, well-turned-out quality that augurs well for Harris, the son of Richard Harris. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

The basic material is as old as the hills, but Martin Amis, who wrote the original novel some 15 years earlier, explored it in fresh directions. Read full review

Rick Groen

OH DEAR, what grade to assign The Rachel Papers? Hmmm, seems this is a British coming-of-age flick that turns out to be a whole lot like the U.S. coming-of-age flicks we've seen a whole lot of. Sure, better cast, earthier language, niftier accents, but the same paint-by-number formula punctuated by the same tacked-on "be true to yourself" moral. Heck, let's be generous: passing, barely passing. [12 May 1989]

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

The darker hues of Amis's story, though frequently discernible beneath the gloss, are ultimately submerged beneath the usual set of artistic compromises. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Working from his own script, Harris shows no sense of detail; characters barely develop, London becomes a topographical mess, and each time the plot falters, we get long '60s-style interludes with no dialogue, cut to bland pop. The result is without dramatic or moral weight, despite Highway's contrived comeuppance, and it's impossible to care about the characters. Read full review

Empire Barry Mcllheney

Captures the brash boldness of the novel, but not the literary wit. A misguided affair. Read full review

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