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Personal Services

1987, Movie, R, 105 mins

Personal Services: Review

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A disclaimer at the opening indicates that this movie was loosely "suggested" by the story of Cynthia Payne, London's famed madam, yet it becomes quite clear that this is a blow-by-blow description of her life and times. Christine Painter (Julie Walters) begins as a waitress, raising a young son. Painter is not really a sexual person, but she realizes that prostitution might help make ends meet. She enlists the aid of Shirley (Shirley Stelfox), a seasoned veteran of "the life," and the backing of Morton (Alec McCowen), a former RAF wing commander given to wearing bras and panties. Dolly (Danny Schiller), a transvestite, joins the team as the maid, and the house becomes a home to a burgeoning roster of clients. Much of the movie consists of poking fun at the priggish exterior of British sexual behavior, then delving beneath it to see just how weird it is. Satire, rather than vulgarity, is the order of the day, but there are moments when it does go over the invisible line. The movie is well made, funny, sometimes touching, and boasts the gifted Walters, who shows herself an actress with immense depth and a wide scope of histrionic talent. leave a comment
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