Personal Services
Personal Services

Personal Services

1987Movie105 minEnglish

Fed up with working hard just to scrape by, Christine Painter comes up with a bold plan to become the madam of a brothel and earn her financial freedom: she opens a house of spanking to fabulous reviews.

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Insights

IMDb6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes71%
Google Users75%
Director: Terry JonesGenres: Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

Cynthia Payne, a former madam, becomes the subject of this biographical comedy-drama. The film chronicles her life as she transitions from running a respectable brothel to operating a more unconventional service catering to specific male desires. It explores the societal reactions and personal consequences of her unique career choices.

Critical Reception

Personal Services was generally well-received by critics for its bold subject matter and Julie Walters's standout performance. Some found the humor to be occasionally uneven, but the film was praised for its frank and often witty portrayal of sex work and female independence.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Julie Walters's captivating and nuanced performance as Cynthia Payne.
  • Appreciated for its darkly humorous and satirical take on societal norms and female agency.
  • Some found the pacing and comedic tone to be inconsistent at times.

Google audience: Audiences generally enjoyed the film, highlighting Julie Walters's compelling portrayal and the movie's unique, albeit sometimes controversial, subject matter. It's often described as a provocative and surprisingly funny look at an unconventional life.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the life of Cynthia Payne, a real-life madam who gained notoriety in London for her brothel and 'kinky parties'.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Julie Walters is great in this story of a woman who starts off life working in a café but ends up being arrested for living off the immoral earnings made running a brothel for the great and the good. It's loosely based on the rise and fall ...