Wish You Were Here (1987)

Emily Lloyd.....well whatever happened to the beautiful and talented actress Emily Lloyd, she left us with some precious films and one of them is 'Wish you were Here'. This is probably a story that was quite indicative of the social and cultural values of that time in 1950's working class Britain; it is not that long ago, but it seems like another historical epoch in terms of how people conducted themselves. The young woman that Emily Lloyd portrays is an individualistic young girl, full of dreams and she is absolutely bored with the stifling values and lifestyle around her young spirit. Curious about sex and relationships, still in trauma from the death of her mother; the tale that unfolds is heartwarming, sad, funny and poignant. This film goes into the category of one of my favourite films of all time, not least because I am very familiar with this kind of backdrop of culture and location by the Sussex seaside - but whoever you are and from wherever you come from; you will be uplifted and surprised by this amazingly wonderful film of life and a young girl's journey into womanhood. Furthermore, some of these great actors are not with us anymore and this film is a testimony to their acting abilities and the times from which they lived in. This is a Britain that is also no longer with us and therefore on a nostalgic basis, Wish you were Here is important as a historical narrative to a British way of life that has practically disappeared for better or worse.

David Leland's companion piece to 'Personal Services' (also 1987) is another dramatized fiction suggested by the life of Cynthia Payne (London's notorious 'Luncheon Voucher Madam'), only here the canvas is smaller and the film, as a result, is less effective. A 'prequel' to the earlier feature, it relives the rebellious teenage years of the sassy young Ms. Payne (the names have again been changed) as she flies in the face of her stodgy English upbringing with a rousing rejoinder of "up yer bum!" Growing up too fast in a very slow corner of the Empire, she struggles through that awkward age when her cynicism about sex hasn't caught up with her curiosity about it, leading to a good deal of engaging if familiar adolescent angst, reinforced by a bland seaside setting viewed through nostalgia. The film succeeds mostly on the charm of young Emily Lloyd, portraying a character who can't decide if hers is a child's mind in an adult's body, or the other way around. Boredom motivates her rude behavior, and it's a pity the film itself didn't follow her good example. After making its point (and making it well), the story can't help losing a little momentum.

This is one of the most depressing films ever made - and they package and sell it as a comedy?! WTF?!!! And on top of that it has one of the worst social messages communicated by a film I've ever seen - "Teen age girls, if your life stinks, just have a baby out of wed-lock, that will make everything OK!" - WTF?!!!! The acting is fine, the crew does what it has to, but the sum and substance of this film is GARBAGE! Where is the sense of responsibility on the part of the film-makers - the studio - the distributors? And despite the packaging, this is not funny - there is not a humorous moment in the whole film.I feel ripped off, I feel dirty, I feel the whole film existed to make me feel guilty for being human - slimy, post-mod variation of puritanical bullscheiss.And don't give me any crap about feminism - this film abuses women with its message. Women - you will not get any more mature or any more liberated by having babies out of wed-lock - you will produce people that you helped create who will hate you forever.An evil film best left forgotten.

Wish You Were Here is a delightful, moving and exceptional film for many reasons, but the most unusual is that it is one of two films written by David Leland (Mona Lisa) about a real person, the famous British madame, Cynthia Payne, which were both released in the same year--1987. (Both films claim to be fiction) Wish chronicles her youthful scandals; the other film,Terry Jones', Personal Services (1987) chronicles her adult scandals. The two films are very different in style (this film being the more conventional of the two) but the character of Payne remains refreshingly the same. In Wish You Were Here the desperate pleading of a lonely young girl for love and affection takes a bizarre path helped by her rebellious and outspoken candid observations. It is her impatience with hypocrisy coupled with her desperate need that make this teenager so sympathetic. That, and her great sense of humor.The colorful sex scenes filled with surprises keep the viewer disarmed, but mainly it is the main character's shining virtues of honesty, non-conformity, and defiance that makes this film a special one for young people. The scene with the therapist, matching dirty words, is one of the funniest on film, especially watching the marvelous way Emily Lloyd molds her reactions and then goes in for the kill. Emily Lloyd's career never lived up to this early brilliant performance, but her work here is so dazzling, it gives her a place in film history. Highly recommended for all teenagers who feel out of place and for adults who do, too.Why hasn't this film moved to DVD? (only in England and Germany!) It's a rare find, and you may be both surprised and delighted!.