Georgy Girl

When Lynn Redgrave died last month, I bumped the film that she's best known for, 1966's Georgy Girl, up in my Netflix queue, but I wasn't the only one who had that idea, as it became a long wait for it to finally arrive. But it has arrived, and I watched it last night, and it's an interesting artifact from the Swinging London period of British films, and also has one of the most recognizable theme songs of any film, which even now is running through my head like a runaway horse.

Redgrave was in her early twenties when the she made the film, playing a plump, plain but spirited girl. She is the daughter of domestics who work for the rich and perpetually bemused James Mason. She teaches music to small children, employing a lot of modern ideas, and shares a flat with a beautiful but heartless violinist (Charlotte Rampling), who has a boyfriend (Alan Bates).

Though Georgy is supposed to be disheveled and unattractive, she ends up fending off the advances of both Mason and Bates. Mason, who was a father-figure to her, paying for her expensive education, proposes that she become his mistress, and he's even typed up contracts for the arrangement. Bates and Rampling marry after the latter gets pregnant, but he realizes he's in love with Georgy, and the two share an assignation while Rampling gives birth. However Rampling has no interest in the baby, and Georgy takes custody of it.

The film, directed by Silvio Narrizano, is typical of the era. Shot in muddy black and white in almost guerrilla style, it calls to mind other British films of the era like The Knack, Billy Liar, and even A Hard Days' Night. Redgrave, Mason, and the song, which was a big hit for The Seekers (with lyrics written by actor Jim Dale) were Oscar-nominated. In fact, that year one of the Redgrave's rivals in the Best Actress category was her sister, Vanessa, nominated for Morgan.

Viewed today, it's mostly enjoyable for its ties to another time and place, and for being ahead of its time. I was a little shocked at how abortion was so frankly discussed. I think it would also make for interesting conversation in a women's studies class, as the choices Georgy makes for her happiness are a bit mind-bending. In some ways she's a feminist, in others a throwback to 19th century.