The Boy Friend
The Boy Friend

The Boy Friend

1971Movie137 minEnglish

When the leading lady of a low-budget musical revue sprains her ankle, the assistant stage manager is forced to understudy and perform in her place.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes67%
Director: Ken RussellGenres: Musical, Comedy, Romance

Plot Summary

In 1927, a young English seaside resort's theatrical troupe is preparing for their annual production. The shy assistant stage manager, "Polly", dreams of becoming a star and falls for the visiting "Tony" Brockhurst. When the legendary "Sir John Tremayne" visits, Polly, under the guise of a famous actress, gets a chance to perform.

Critical Reception

The film received mixed to positive reviews, with many critics praising its visual style and musical numbers, though some found its meta-theatrical concept a bit convoluted. Audiences were generally charmed by its nostalgic musical elements and Twiggy's performance.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its lavish and colorful production design.
  • Twigs' innocent charm and musical numbers were a highlight for many.
  • Some found the film's narrative structure and humor to be somewhat dated.

Google audience: Audience reception on Google is not readily available, but general sentiment often points to its nostalgic appeal and visual flair.

Fun Fact

The film is a rare example of a movie musical that is itself a musical within its narrative, with the characters within the story performing the original musical "The Boy Friend" by Sandy Wilson.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review