When a rock star finds religion, their followers and the general public aren't sure if they're in a cult, on drugs or had a wake up moment that may or may not last. In this case, it's Cliff Richard who finds it, but not as himself, instead a bit of a grifter who happens to be a singer. He's in love with the sweet Ann Holloway who is missing something in her life and recently accepted Christ, getting a ticket to see Billy Graham in a big rally. She rents a room from the harridan Avril Angers who seems to resent her simply because she's young and has a boyfriend. In a nasty bit of temper, Angers kicks Holloway out, leaving her homeless and even more desperate than ever.
In the meantime, the sneaky Richard gets a job working after-hours cleaning the psychiatrists office where his flamboyant mother Dora Bryan works, and is soon breaking into the medicine cabinet to steal psychadelic drugs to sell. He manages to fool his way into the Billy Graham sermon and his voice over indicates that he's mocking Graham and his followers. This scene isn't there to ridicule mega churches but to show how low Richard has sunk and to set up his downfall so he can find atonement.
Interesting but depressing drama with songs is fascinating for the view of late 60's London culture with a bit of that old time religion stuck in. Graham's segment is only about 10 minutes, but it's interesting to see how Richard sneaks his way into a prominent seat with the intention of bashing it, not realizing that he's out of his league.
There's only a tad bit of preachiness yet the film doesn't really begin to move along plotwise until near the end. Veteran British actress Mona Washbourne has a few scenes as an upper class lady, first seen watching Richard perform and later in a department store. It's not quite a smashing time, but you won't be bored even if the script needed more care than it gets.
In the meantime, the sneaky Richard gets a job working after-hours cleaning the psychiatrists office where his flamboyant mother Dora Bryan works, and is soon breaking into the medicine cabinet to steal psychadelic drugs to sell. He manages to fool his way into the Billy Graham sermon and his voice over indicates that he's mocking Graham and his followers. This scene isn't there to ridicule mega churches but to show how low Richard has sunk and to set up his downfall so he can find atonement.
Interesting but depressing drama with songs is fascinating for the view of late 60's London culture with a bit of that old time religion stuck in. Graham's segment is only about 10 minutes, but it's interesting to see how Richard sneaks his way into a prominent seat with the intention of bashing it, not realizing that he's out of his league.
There's only a tad bit of preachiness yet the film doesn't really begin to move along plotwise until near the end. Veteran British actress Mona Washbourne has a few scenes as an upper class lady, first seen watching Richard perform and later in a department store. It's not quite a smashing time, but you won't be bored even if the script needed more care than it gets.
