Review for Girl On Approval

Filmed and edited in 1961, this low-budget British kitchen-sink melodrama (arguably a representation of the British New Wave alongside 'Saturday Night Sunday Morning and 'This Sporting Life') is still a potent and emotive tale told well. Oh sure, it's a bit stilted, with an air of 'jolly hockey sticks' and stiff upper lips amongst the social workers and foster parents, but it is also surprisingly gritty in places too, unshrinking as it heads full-tilt into some serious issues including theft, bullying, and prostitution.


The story is about a highly troubled 14 year old girl who was abandoned by a mother she cannot remember but who she hopes and dreams she will one day meet. In and out of foster care, she cannot settle at any home, constantly battling with authority, vandalising property, stealing, swearing (more serious in the sixties when a word like 'bastard' would silence a pub piano player) and running away.


Rachel Roberts, something of a stalwart of such films (who committed suicide following a years of alcoholism after a divorce from Rex Harrison) delivers a powerful performance in the lead role as the foster mother. Not perfect by any stretch, her characters determination is what wins the day despite some major relapses in resolve along the way. James Maxwell is perfectly adequate as her husband, if a bit wishy-washy, and Annette Whitely plays a relatively convincing (on occasion) 'problem child'. Whilst Annette's performance is variable, and the atmosphere a little dated, the film was still powerful enough to bring me close to tears at its conclusion (a hardened veteran of years of front-line DVD reviewing too - who'd have thought it!).


The transfer is immensely satisfying with very little sign of serious print wear and the rich, dark contrast makes the black and white cinematography really shine. Indeed, it is perhaps this aspect more than any other that makes the DVD's 'Best of British' moniker credible.



The film's narrative is a little predictable though, as the film is under 80 minutes long, it plays out in a very entertaining way. The end credits will be rolling before you realise.


The foster family, who have two small boys (their 'see you later mashed potato' line is the definition of charm), apparently lost a daughter and are hoping to adopt another. However, they are convinced by the carer to temporarily take in the troublesome teen of the title. At first she is surly and destructive, entirely non-appreciative and rude as well. But persistence seems to pay off and before long she bonds with the family dog, the two younger boys and, eventually, 'uncle and auntie' too.


However, the path to this success does not run smoothly. A case of horrendous bullying at her school tips her back into a negative frame of mind that sees her running away to London, possibly with disastrous results. I won't spoil the ending for you here though.


All in all, a great little film, if not quite in league with other 'new wave' contenders, running a very close second. If this sounds and looks like your kind of movie then it probably is.