Getting It Right

This was a highly rated, now forgotten, trifle. Though surrounded by opportunities, uptight Gavin can't make a choice on a date or a career, saying (without elaborating on his criteria) "I just want to get it right." He investigates a bit, but his interest seems to be in inaction or only stale, bourgeoise standards. Sex is had, but Gavin makes a rather numb protagonist. I have a friend like him, but at least he eventually came out of the closet, which is what you begin to suspect about G. The movie is harmless but kind of goes nowhere. Lynn Redgrave is there as the older woman who still recalls the swinging London of the 60s. This is proof why some British chaps are indistinguishable from the deceased.

31-year-old London hairdresser Gavin Lamb has never slept with a woman, but he is, after all, a virgin in all things, not just sex. A cautious romantic idealism has kept him at arm's length from any meaningful (or otherwise) relationship, until he learns, with help from a trio of very different women, that 'getting involved' means doing just that. From the older and wiser Lynn Redgrave he discovers the pleasures of physical love; scatterbrained Helena Bonham Carter teaches him the responsibilities of a more platonic friendship; and from girl next door Jane Horrocks he learns how to honor a commitment. It's a pleasant and polite little comedy, with just enough genuine character to give it some depth, and with a welcome lack (because the screenwriter is a woman?) of the raging hormones and horny desperation so common to big screen coming-of-age stories. There is, perhaps, too much reliance on Gavin's voice-over narration, but how else could such an introspective person express himself?

Given the talent and general excellence of this film, one would think it would have made it to DVD. It has that hard to define quality that certain films achieve, the ability to bring a smile to your face when you weren't expecting to. While I watch films mainly to laugh or get an adrenaline rush, those flicks that make me smile and keep me smiling long after they're over have a magic that should have it's own name. The same magic is the prevailing quality of better known films, like "Love Actually" or several other Hugh Grant British romantic comedies. The storyline is almost formulaic. The acting is good, professional, and heartfelt though unexceptional. The laughs are few though solid. The tears are available but not overpowering. The romance is tender and sincere bot again, not overwhelming. There is nothing in this film that is very over the top. Nothing exceptionally memorable like John Cusack standing outside the girl's window holding a boom-box with an anthem pounding into your brain. It's rather like a date flick for pleasantly married people who love their spouses. But just because an emotion isn't screamingly loud and in your face, that doesn't mean that it isn't deep and meaningful. This movie is both deep and meaningful, on a pleasant journey in the life of Gavin Lamb. If you want to smile, spend a couple of hours with Gavin getting it right. (If you can find this film - it doesn't play often enough for me, and I've bought it twice on VHS.)

Gavin (Birdsall) is a handsome and proper thirty-something "straight" virgin and a hair cutter in a chic London salon who is surrounded by quirky and idiosyncratic characters. Although not shy, anxiety, trepidation, and the desire to "get it right" has kept him from finding true love.

"Getting It Right", a charming little British romantic comedy, is all about Gavin's quest to find "Ms. Right". Even tempered and self-narrated, "GIR" is laced with droll British humor, offers some pearls of wisdom, and is thoroughly charming. Enjoyable stuff for people like me who are suckers for the romantic comedy genre and into British humor.

This film doesn't try and break any new ground: It just wants to make a little romantic comedy with some likeable main characters, some amusing supporting roles and a few good laughs. I think it's charming. A little flimsy, but sweet. Worth a watch when it turns up again on cable.