The Lovers!

As a Mancunian nice to see a film using Manchester locations as opposed to the usual London ones. The story is a sweet tale of two unlikely lovers falling for each other. Excellent performances from a cast of reliable old hands, and a lot of youthful newcomers, who went on to bigger and better roles in big productions, all assembled with a fine signature tune by Tony Christie,a little gem indeed, and a feel good movie for persons of a certain age, highly recommended.

A British comedy; A story about a hesitant, inexperienced young couple negotiating the 'permissive' society. This film is a spin-off from a British sitcom, but it eschews the two television series as background to tell the story of unlikely lovebirds. It is set against a backdrop of greater sexual freedoms and independence in the early 1970s and has a theme about women growing in confidence, aspiring to true parity with men in their sexual and professional lives, and the complications of desire at the same time. Its setting in the North West of England lends a weightier frankness about a female in that region at that time-her likely prospects based on the working class norms-that the young and married often become marginalised because of the domination by the male once they become married, leading to motherhood at a relatively young age and possible domestic drudgery. It is a gauche comedy, entertaining thanks to actors Richard Beckinsale and Paula Wilcox, and innocent fun for the naive and clumsy interplay and playful courting. Wilcox combines being prude with a Northern tint of bourgeois snobbery, while Beckinsale is wonderfully vulnerable and helpless as he veers between laddism and romance nervously. The film isn't directed with much panache, and it is a slight story, but it has quaint dialogue.

The lovers is the film version of Jack Rosenthals early 70s comedy series. The late great Richard Beckinsale and pretty and very talented Paula Wilcox play the title Lovers Geoffrey and Beryl . Two innocents slowly falling in and out love in the heady world of attempted promiscuity of early 70s Britain.. Both are from similar backgrounds and both slightly out of steps with there friends love lives. What I love about this film is that its wonderfully low key and strikes a chord with anyone of a certain age who has genuinely been in love.. The writing is very funny and honest. As you'd expect, The performances are brilliant all round. As in the series Beckinsales Geoffrey is shy and awkward andunsure of what he wants in life and looking for sex but also scared of the outcome. Wilcox's Beryl is a good girl look for a good man and hardly admitting that awkward Geoffrey is her type but need work. Add to this complication from the world around them and you have romantic 70s comic gold. I recommend this as a glimpse into simpler times. Love and laughter can be clever and tender without being crude or gross.

The Lovers! is not a great film, or even a particularly good film. It will never win awards. It is typical of the low cost British TV-based movies of the 1970s. It is really nothing more than an expended TV special. But for some reason, I have retained a copy and, every so often (when I need cheering up usually) I play this film. It has a certain innocence. Nostalgia for a age that has past. Both the leading actors are excellent and there is a host of good supporting actors. The script is hardly hilarious but there are times when the one liners bring a smile. All in all, it is a pleasant way to spend 90 odd minutes.

The Lovers 1973 Richard Beckinsale & Paula Wilcox. Young couples nervous and clumsy attempts in their quest for love. Lovely time piece from the early 70s with great shots of 70s Manchester and Old Trafford ( cricket & football) well worth watching. 7/10.