Age of Consent (1969)

Aging and burnt-out artist Bradley Morahan (a splendid performance by James Mason) goes to an off-shore island in order to escape from stressful everyday society. Bradley finds a new muse in the enticing and energetic form of carefree young lass Cora (a winningly luminous portrayal by a very youthful and sumptuous Helen Mirren).Director Michael Powell, working from a thoughtful and perceptive script by Peter Yeldham, astutely captures the anguish and weariness of Bradley's plight, makes the most out of the breathtaking Australian seaside locations, and explores the substantial themes concerning the necessity for passion in any kind of creative endeavor and the potential peril inherent in an older man befriending a much younger woman in a tasteful, but still frank and provocative manner. Mason and Mirren play off each other exceptionally well; they receive sturdy support from Jack MacGowran as raucous deadbeat Nat Kelly, Neva Carr-Glynn as persnickety old bat Ma Ryan, Andonia Katsaros as friendly neighbor Isabel Marley, Harold Hopkins as the horny Ted Farrell, and Frank Thring as pompous gallery owner Godfrey. Hannes Staudinger's vibrant color cinematography provides a beautifully sunny look. Peter Sculthorpe's lush score does the soothing trick. A solid and satisfying movie.

In spite of the scandalous looking title, "Age of Consent" is not about a woman losing her virginity or a lolita-type relationship (because Helen Mirren looks underage the same way that Anne Hathaway looks underage). "Age of Consent" is simply about an artist (James Mason) searching for his artistic inspiration in Australia and finally finding his very own muse named Cora (Helen Mirren) who does a lot of naked posing for him.Now if you are looking for a thought provoking or profound film about the human condition, "Age of Consent" is not for you. But if you already had a few beers on a Friday night and are looking for some light entertainment with a bit of charm, then this film is just right. "Age of Consent" has everything you (as one of the guys) would want to see in a film after getting drunk: a funny dog (Godfrey, who almost steals the show), a naked 24 year old Helen Mirren, lots of nature, some amusing locals, a naked 24 year old Helen Mirren, more nature, marine life and oh yes, getting to see 24 year old Helen Mirren nude! It is not a masterpiece, but I have to admit I watched "Age of Consent" to the end.

Oh dear, what to say and I'm a complete Michael Powell fan. Well maybe not so complete now having seen this turkey. Sadly his swan song. I guess he needed his former partner Emeric Pressburger more than he thought. This film is from the renowned director of "Colonel Blimp" and "I Know Where I'm Going?" and others of that stature. Michael should have hung up his hat way before directing this and not pass it to James Mason for the cash for production (Mason co-produces, right!) plus a bonus of a starring role.Helen Mirren is the only star in this, her first role, foretelling her future skill and awesome talent. Well, apart from the amazing dog, Godfrey who is a delight.The writing is hopelessly inept, James's accent slips and totters with each sentence, the grandmother - so overdrawn as to be beyond caricature, the best friend ditto, and a secondary romance is as ugly as it is unbelievable.And the money shot? A 17 year old falls for a 60 year old? He's old enough to be her grandfather? That's where the bleurgh comes in.3 out of 10. Skip it.

A famous painter retreats to a somewhat remote island in Australia's Great Barrier Reef to inspire his creativity and finds a young woman to pose for him. Mason is fine as the painter. In one of her earliest roles, Mirren looks amazingly young and alluring as the object of Mason's desire. MacGowran provides the comedy as Mason's unwanted guest on the island. There isn't much of a plot in this laid-back and light-hearted comedy, but it features a quirky cast of characters and is quite enjoyable. The dog is cute and receives on-screen billing. The island setting is beautifully filmed under Powell's masterful direction.