Der Amerikaner

Susan George as Twinky( what a weird name?) is a convincingly vacuous 16 year old British virgin who seduces a 32 year old American writer of pornography (Charlie Bronson). Must be unusual for Bronson cause he never kills or hits anyone. The plot is simple but the whole effect of mini skirts, long legs and blonde hair on Twinky plus the contrast of short black rugged Bronson as Scotty is funny and watchable. Bronson being loving and patient with the annoyingly bouncy playfulness of a 16 year old kid who is 'good in the sex' department is worth the time.

If Vladimir Nabakov had been born 40 years later (and had been 20-something in the British Mod era), he might have devised a story similar to this: an erratic but amusing, sometimes sincere romance concerning a 38-year-old writer of pulp novels in love with a brash 16-year-old London schoolgirl. Comedy-drama stars Charles Bronson and Susan George (who was 19 during shooting), and was the third film from director Richard Donner, who reportedly clashed with Bronson during the production (and didn't direct another feature until 1976's "The Omen"). "Twinky/Lola/London Affair" has expressive eyes and ears, but Donner doesn't quite know how to wrap things up, leading to a weak finale. Well-made and edited, however, and full of energy and appealing scenes. Fine acting by the leads, particularly Bronson in an early leading role. British-Italian co-production was released throughout Europe in 1970, but didn't reach the US until 1971 (barely) before being shown on television in December of that year. **1/2 from ****

Well, there's Charles Bronson near his prime and heaps of nice female limbs in this film, so there is that going for it, regardless of your sex or preference, I suppose. There are other visual attractions besides the leads, though - some nice settings and camera work.

The problem is that, whilst the basic plot itself is somewhat plausible, it's just not handled to the depth that it could be. Bronson does a passable job as the writer who tries to be Hubby but ends up feeling more like Daddy half the time, but it is not his best effort by far. He really does better in thrillers like "Telefon". Susan George (as well as most of the actresses playing her friends/peers) comes off as being fairly vacuous, and acts more like she's 11 than 16. Perhaps this is meant to help us share some of Bronson's character's discomfort - but then he married her because she guilts him into it, or he guilts himself? Or what? I'm not buying it. Perhaps if there were some genuine deep chemistry and passion between the two, but I don't get that. The entire relationship comes off more like a long, uncomfortable play-date.

Okay, maybe it's supposed to - but then, what's the point?

And whilst as a male with the typical appreciation for the female form I can't say I really object strenuously to this, but hey - she wears a miniskirt in *every* scene, even in NYC in the wintertime? C'mon...

The soundtrack is also fairly hokey, even given when this film was made, and makes it feel even more contrived.

I gave this film a 6 of 10 because it's pleasant enough entertainment for the I've-no-date-tonight circuit, and because I'm a Bronson fan, but no higher because it really never draws in the viewer, and fails to make any lasting statement or impression.

Charles Bronson stars as an American author in his thirties living in England who marries his 16 year old girlfriend Susan George. They move to NYC and suffer through the shocking predicament that people don't understand their relationship and that they don't really get along all that well anyway. A fantastic supporting cast ... Honor Blackman, Jack Hawkins, Trevor Howard, Robert Morley ... are consistently wasted in this really annoying comedy. I usually love George, but she is nails- on-a-chalkboard annoying here.

Swing right into this undoubtedly silly, but mildly charming light-headed 60's British sex comedy / drama starring the stone-like persona of Charles Bronson and the young scarlet Susan George. Actually it's her long legs that become the centre piece, because most of the time she's fluffing about in miniskirts. The story focuses on a middle-aged American erotica writer, who falls in love with a sixteen year old British school girl. When her family finds out about their relationship, everything is turned upside down. Despite that they eventually marry in Scotland (since the law there allows it), and then head to America, but this is when their relationship is put to the test.

Now the subject matter here is risky, but the whimsical script and Richard Donner's peachy direction makes light of it, by having fun at its expense. So if anyone is looking for something raunchy, and perverted. Look elsewhere. Susan George brings a playful innocence to her role (maybe too much for a 16 year-old?), but on the other side of the coin Bronson's casually brooding performance is a hard one to make out. The chemistry between the two is terribly spotty. A glowing support cast are nothing more than nutty inclusions. Honor Blackman, Michael Craig and especially Trevor Howard are great fun to watch as Lola's family. In lesser but worthwhile turns are Lionel Jefferies, Jack Hawkins and Robert Morley.

After a quirky, and spirited pop-like first-half where the story amusingly moves back and forth between Twinky's parents, and her confronting Scott about her parents knowing. Then the film changes when it reaches America. Becoming quite glum, laboured and fairly straight (well just say not as kooky). The relationship begins to crumble, but at the beginning it wasn't all that convincing that you wonder how did it last as long as it did. The whole thing feels messy, and so does its message. There's just no depth, or structure to it all to leave an impression. The ending is rather awkward too. Richard Donner does a serviceable job, and includes some fashionable filming techniques (slow-mo, freeze frames, montages), and the jazzy score with plenty of colour and features some bogus theme songs.