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Gregory's Two Girls [1999]
![Gregory's Two Girls [1999]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519H65CKCRL._SL160_.jpg)
Like the best of Forsyth's work, an air of sweet melancholy hangs over the film. For all its inspired comic moments, Forsyth's film is a poignant exploration of the sense of failure Greg feels for standing still while those around him are moving on. By the end, as Greg's comes out of his shell and engages fully with the world around him, the film becomes a study in renewal and second chances. --Edward Lawrenson Language: English, Dolby Digital
RRP: £5.99
Our Price: £5.82 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Strange to think that 20 or so years ago Bill Forsyth was one of the rising star directors of British cinema. His breakthrough film, the 1981 film Gregory's Girl, was a beguiling view of a teenage love, bolstered by a memorable debut by John Gordon-Sinclair as the eponymous Greg, a gawky, awkward pupil at a big Scottish high school. Forsyth's fallen of the map of late--his big-budget foray, Being Human bombed massively--all of which makes this sequel to Gregory's Girl all the more understandable. Thankfully, what might seem like a rather cynical exercise in milking a sure-fire hit formula has produced a gently comic film. Turning out to be one of Forsyth's most ambitious and satisfying movies, Gregory's Two Girls catches up with Greg after all these years. Still as awkward as ever, he's teaching English in the school he attended as a teenager, where he's given to fantasising about one of his pupils, the self-assured Francis, while turning down the ardent advances of fellow teacher Bel. Caught between these two women, Greg is embroiled in a spot of industrial espionage, exposing a racket in torture equipment which his old school friend, local businessman Rowan is involved in.
Editorial
Video Description
DVD Special Features: Theatrical Trailer
Interactive menus
Scene Index
Subtitles: English for hard of hearing
Video Aspect Ratio: Feature - 16:9 Anamorphic
Soundtrack: English dolby surround
Editorial
Synopsis
This sequel to GREGORY'S GIRL takes place 20 years after the original film. Gregory (John Gordon Sinclair) is now 35 and back at the school he attended, teaching English and preaching against human rights abuses. When Gregory's students uncover corrupt practices at a local factory, they want their teacher to help them expose the culprit, who happens to be his old school chum. Gregory quickly finds himself trapped between his idealism and breaking the law. He's also torn between his two "girls"--a sexy young schoolgirl and mature full-blooded woman. In midst of all this confusion, Gregory has important decisions to make....
Editorial
From the Back Cover
Twenty years ago, Gregory was first unleashed onto the world in Gregory's Girl. His unrequited passion for a football mad schoolgirl found some release in his mostly imaginary sex life. that was in 1979. This is 1999. Life, and love has changed for Gregory. Or has it? Gregory is now 35, and back at his old school, teaching English and preaching against political corruption and the abuse of human rights. When two of his pupils uncover evil practices at a local factory, they want teacher to help them expose the wrong-doer, who happens to be his old school friend. Gregory finds himself trapped between his idealism and breaking the law - and sandwiched between his two 'girls', one a sexy young schoolgirl, the other a sexy full blooded woman.
"You see, the thing is, I've never actually seen Frances' beaver ....BADGER!"
Review date: 2008-05-12 Rating: 6 out of 10
John Gordon Sinclair is perfect as Gregory Underwood, the bumbling teacher with strong left-wing morals, and a desire to change the world - but lacking the get-up-and-go to actually do so.
The main message of this film is one of making a difference, even if it's a small one. Mr. Underwood's infatuation with a schoolgirl is made more difficult to ignore when he becomes involved in her extra-curricular investigation into a local firm whom she believes is involved in manufacturing torture equipment.
This is a very political film and accurately reflects the feeling of many fellow left-wing thinkers in this country who recognise the wrong in the world and dream of making a change - but never getting round to it. Anti-Americanism is dealt with perfectly, and is balanced out when Gregory meets an actual `thinking American'.
Through a pupil, Gregory finds the inspiration to stamp his mark in the world and make a stand. His feelings towards her might be improper, but that doesn't make him a bad man - it makes him human. He can't help how he feels and though it undoubtedly affects his behaviour, his integrity prevents anything untoward. Infact, it's the suggestion that something indecent might well be happening that leads to the funniest scene in the film, where he tries to justify the time after school spent with Frances.
The characters are on the whole very believable, and the backdrop of grim council estates in urban Scotland give this an extra air of plausibility. Gregory reflects many guys who are perhaps misrepresented in film, and I think a fair few people can identify with his strong beliefs and perceived inability to do anything other than preach to those around him.
In a nutshell: The title of the film is misleading as the story isn't centrally based on his relationship with two women - they are important, but (and maybe I'm being a bit cynical) it seems more likely that the title is an attempt to jump on the nostalgia and appeal of the original. This could have been called something else, it is very much a standalone film rather than a true extension or sequel to the 80's British classic. Although the film sometimes feels a bit disjointed and slow, the character of Gregory is charming enough to keep you watching, and it was great to seem him absorb some of the youthful vigour from his scholar. The plot surrounding his attraction to his pupil seems (by some) to unfairly overshadow the actual story of the film.
I'd give this 3.5 stars if I could, but the distinct lack of any additional material on this disk fails to sway me to a 4.
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Reviews
Gregory still struggling to become an adult
Review date: 2008-02-07 Rating: 10 out of 10
A lot of fans of the first Gregory's girl film have obviously felt dissapointed with this sequal. On the surface this film has little or no relation to the first; Gregory says 'Bella Bella' a few times just to remind us who he is or was, but anyone expecting another light, sweet and quirky homage to adolescent love will understandably be dissapointed. On the other hand, this is the film that shows what happened when Dee Hepburn's 'modern girl' grew up and Blair and his babes began to lead us into a better world. Its about idealism being crushed by spite and grubby motivations, about the realisation that innocence can only be real if its a fantasy. This is comedy so dark its sometimes hard to see the humor, although a couple of scenes, in particular the 'badger/beaver' set piece, are quite hilarious. The plot is diffused and somewhat plodding, yet it remains a very good film, cynical and wiser, this is the sequel to Gregory's Girl that we all deserved.
creepy
Review date: 2006-07-28 Rating: 4 out of 10
gregory's girl is laugh-out-loud funny, and i wanted to like this.
with it's lolita sub-plot and the creepy relationship between gregory and his friend, this sequel is toe-curling. i gave it two tries and still couldn't bring myself to watch to the end.
Pleasantly surprised
Review date: 2006-06-06 Rating: 8 out of 10
I have to say I refused to go and see this at cinema as I thought it was a blatent marketing scam - more about accruing revenue than a genuine attempt to update the life of hapless Gregory. I was a huge fan of the original, and I thought I would cringe all the way through this - but its actually quite enjoyable. I was expecting a virtual remake of the doddering inadequacies, clumsy set-pieces, and bella bellas, but although the latter are referenced, Forsyth approaches the film in a totally different way, with Gregory now a believable 30-something, probably at the pinnacle of his earning abilities as a teacher. As with all Forsyth films, the story is rarely plot-reliant, and more about character and relationships, and here he creates an atmosphere that is distinctively real (with the notable exception of Rowan and his world dominating industry). Shot in the pebble-dashed blandness of a Scottish "new town" and concentrating on the increasingly desperate 30-something search for love, he cleverly creates an atmosphere of melancholy, driven by the fear of leaving your youth behind (along with the girls that come with it!) His future (ie. fellow teacher Bel) is not an attractive option, but we all know it is his best option from a small and ever-narrowing pool.
A pleasing film, typical of Forsyth's style, that is just funny and interesting enough to watch as a comedy - but which has a lot more to offer those seeking solace as they approach the societal limbo that can be bachelorhood in your mid-30s! I should say that I am not in this group, but I still found the film entertaining. There are a few minuses - the token nods to the original film are a bit cringey (and in my opinion, unnecessary), whilst the Rowan character doesn't really fit in with the general mood/style - but I don't see why the other reviewers were so upset by it. Perhaps because it isn't Gregory's Girl. I think Forsyth has developed the idea and the character very cleverly indeed.
Pleasing enough, and what's wrong with that?
Review date: 2006-02-28 Rating: 6 out of 10
Having just read some of the harsh reviews for this film after catching it on TV the other night i felt the need to voice an opinion.
I hoonesty thought this was a nice little film. Having not seen the orginal, my point of view wasn't skewed by the original classic. (Just 'cause Aliens isn't as good as Alien doesn't make it bad)
As a Scottish lad from a small town i found myself identifying with the atmosphere of the film. the school reminded me of mine, and the traveling away to big city Edinburgh much like me visit Inverness.
Although by no means a classic, i thought the Gregory character some some really funny bits throughout. His awkward character reminding me of people i know in real life. The section when he gets called to the headmasters office by the police on suspicion on having an inproper relationship with hus pupils, and he goes on a long rant about English and badgers is hilarious, one of the funniest cinema moments ever lol.
Overall, not a classic, but by no means a stinker. It has a nice Scottish charm all its own and all the characters are believable (with the exception of maybe Dimitri who kind of just comes and goes) I agree the plot was maybe a little weak but i was able to fogive that. As for the lack of ending, it's not about what happens to the characters, it's about the journey that they have made. Have a little imagination, and make up your own ending!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Carly McKinnon
John Gordon Sinclair
John Murtagh
Dougray Scott
Hugh McCue
Creators:
Carly McKinnon (Primary Contributor)
John Gordon Sinclair (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Cinema Club
Manufacturer: Cinema Club
EAN: 5014138286873
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2004-06-07
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 111 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1999
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)