Not bleak at all. I first saw this film at the cinema. I was 16 and from comparatively affluent Cambridge (UK), I had no idea people lived such lives. At the time I found the sex scenes surprising for their realism having been spoiled by Hollywood's romantic handling of it. But sitting in the cinema with my best friend I remember delighting in the development of the friendship between the two girls.
So when it came on telly recently I thought I'd give it 10 minutes to see why I'd always remembered it so fondly. I'm glad I did. I think the first reviewer is too used attaching the word bleak to anything "northern" or "realistic". I found it anything but. The film *is* a comment on Thatcher's Britain but although the backdrop to the story is a run-down estate and the characters are financially poor the story is tender, funny and celebratory.
The title shows what the film is about, it's about Rita and Sue, Bob's only an afterthought. Throughout the whole relationship the girls are in control of the hapless Bob who's sex-drive leads to his making some pretty unwise choices, Rita and Sue are his enthusiastic conspirators. The relationship with Bob tests their friendship but it is ultimately made stronger.
The film has some wonderful moments, Sue's father is the most convincing drunk I've ever seen. The end is fantastic, look out for the Union Jack in that great last shot.
So when it came on telly recently I thought I'd give it 10 minutes to see why I'd always remembered it so fondly. I'm glad I did. I think the first reviewer is too used attaching the word bleak to anything "northern" or "realistic". I found it anything but. The film *is* a comment on Thatcher's Britain but although the backdrop to the story is a run-down estate and the characters are financially poor the story is tender, funny and celebratory.
The title shows what the film is about, it's about Rita and Sue, Bob's only an afterthought. Throughout the whole relationship the girls are in control of the hapless Bob who's sex-drive leads to his making some pretty unwise choices, Rita and Sue are his enthusiastic conspirators. The relationship with Bob tests their friendship but it is ultimately made stronger.
The film has some wonderful moments, Sue's father is the most convincing drunk I've ever seen. The end is fantastic, look out for the Union Jack in that great last shot.