Private Lessons
Phillip Filmore is a naive, 15-year-old, preoccupied with sex, who develops a crush on Nicole Mallow, the new 30-something, French housekeeper and sitter to look after him when Phillip's father is out of town for the summer on a "business" trip. But Mr. Filmore's unscrupulous chauffeur, Lester Lewis, takes advantage of Phillip's crush on Nicole to hire her to seduce the youth, then draws her into a plot to fake her own death in a blackmail scheme aimed to drain Phillip's trust fund.
Insights
Plot Summary
A wealthy, naive teenager is left in the care of his father's attractive housekeeper while his father is away on business. The housekeeper, with the help of a chauffeur, conspires to seduce the boy and extort money from him. The boy, initially a victim, begins to play along and turns the tables on his seducers.
Critical Reception
Private Lessons was a commercial success, grossing over $14 million at the box office. However, it was met with largely negative reviews from critics, who found its plot predictable and its humor to be juvenile and often offensive. Audience reception was mixed, with some finding enjoyment in its exploitation elements and others being put off by its themes.
What Reviewers Say
- Criticized for its thinly veiled exploitation and uninspired plot.
- Noted for its predictable narrative and reliance on teenage wish-fulfillment tropes.
- Some found it mildly amusing, while others deemed it distasteful.
Google audience: Audience reviews for Private Lessons are scarce and generally point towards it being a product of its time. Some viewers recall it as a guilty pleasure or a typical raunchy teen comedy of the early 80s, while others express disappointment with its shallow humor and problematic themes.
Fun Fact
Sylvia Kristel, known for her role in the Emmanuelle film series, plays the manipulative housekeeper in Private Lessons.
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