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Amazon.co.uk Review
Strange to think that 20 or so years ago Bill Forsyth was one of the rising star directors of British cinema. His breakthrough film, the 1981 film Gregory's Girl, was a beguiling view of a teenage love, bolstered by a memorable debut by John Gordon-Sinclair as the eponymous Greg, a gawky, awkward pupil at a big Scottish high school. Forsyth's fallen of the map of late--his big-budget foray, Being Human bombed massively--all of which makes this sequel to Gregory's Girl all the more understandable. Thankfully, what might seem like a rather cynical exercise in milking a sure-fire hit formula has produced a gently comic film. Turning out to be one of Forsyth's most ambitious and satisfying movies, Gregory's Two Girls catches up with Greg after all these years. Still as awkward as ever, he's teaching English in the school he attended as a teenager, where he's given to fantasising about one of his pupils, the self-assured Francis, while turning down the ardent advances of fellow teacher Bel. Caught between these two women, Greg is embroiled in a spot of industrial espionage, exposing a racket in torture equipment which his old school friend, local businessman Rowan is involved in.
Like the best of Forsyth's work, an air of sweet melancholy hangs over the film. For all its inspired comic moments, Forsyth's film is a poignant exploration of the sense of failure Greg feels for standing still while those around him are moving on. By the end, as Greg's comes out of his shell and engages fully with the world around him, the film becomes a study in renewal and second chances. --Edward Lawrenson
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Firstly, let me be honest and declare an interest here. I am a hopeless fan of the first movie, Gregory's Girl. It is fair to say it is one of my favourite films & for lots of different reasons. It is sad, funny, sweet, low budget, quirky and best of all there is a sense of gentle optimism running right through it like a stick of rock. Oh, & the Clare Grogan character reminds me of my first ever girlfriend & this one time (at band camp!) I'm sure I walked past Dee Hepburn in the street. At least it looked a lot like her and thats good enough for me.
But I digress, I was declaring an interest. I came to watch this movie a willing victim. I would have gladly given it the keys to my car and made it up some sandwiches for the journey.
How disappointed was I? Gregory's Two Girls is possibly one of the worst films I have ever seen. Not quite as bad as Bird On A Wire, but getting there. It is muddled, schizophrenic, plodding, confused & infuriating. Infuriating because I wanted it to be good. And it just wasn't.
Save your money (& more importantly your time) & never, ever watch this movie. It is an illegitimate child we shall never speak of again.
But I digress, I was declaring an interest. I came to watch this movie a willing victim. I would have gladly given it the keys to my car and made it up some sandwiches for the journey.
How disappointed was I? Gregory's Two Girls is possibly one of the worst films I have ever seen. Not quite as bad as Bird On A Wire, but getting there. It is muddled, schizophrenic, plodding, confused & infuriating. Infuriating because I wanted it to be good. And it just wasn't.
Save your money (& more importantly your time) & never, ever watch this movie. It is an illegitimate child we shall never speak of again.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I was looking froward to seeing this having watched Gregory's Girl and studied the book not so long ago. I was thorughly disappointed. The sequel bears no reference to the first film. Gregory's sister Maddi appears again but even her presence in the film is pointless. If you've seen the first film I advise you not to see this one as you will be disappointed. Similarly if you haven't seen the first film I dont recommend it as it will still be a dissapointment.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
John Gordon Sinclair is perfect as Gregory Underwood, the bumbling teacher with strong left-wing morals, and a desire to change the world - but lacking the get-up-and-go to actually do so.
The main message of this film is one of making a difference, even if it's a small one. Mr. Underwood's infatuation with a schoolgirl is made more difficult to ignore when he becomes involved in her extra-curricular investigation into a local firm whom she believes is involved in manufacturing torture equipment.
This is a very political film and accurately reflects the feeling of many fellow left-wing thinkers in this country who recognise the wrong in the world and dream of making a change - but never getting round to it. Anti-Americanism is dealt with perfectly, and is balanced out when Gregory meets an actual `thinking American'.
Through a pupil, Gregory finds the inspiration to stamp his mark in the world and make a stand. His feelings towards her might be improper, but that doesn't make him a bad man - it makes him human. He can't help how he feels and though it undoubtedly affects his behaviour, his integrity prevents anything untoward. Infact, it's the suggestion that something indecent might well be happening that leads to the funniest scene in the film, where he tries to justify the time after school spent with Frances.
The characters are on the whole very believable, and the backdrop of grim council estates in urban Scotland give this an extra air of plausibility. Gregory reflects many guys who are perhaps misrepresented in film, and I think a fair few people can identify with his strong beliefs and perceived inability to do anything other than preach to those around him.
In a nutshell: The title of the film is misleading as the story isn't centrally based on his relationship with two women - they are important, but (and maybe I'm being a bit cynical) it seems more likely that the title is an attempt to jump on the nostalgia and appeal of the original. This could have been called something else, it is very much a standalone film rather than a true extension or sequel to the 80's British classic. Although the film sometimes feels a bit disjointed and slow, the character of Gregory is charming enough to keep you watching, and it was great to seem him absorb some of the youthful vigour from his scholar. The plot surrounding his attraction to his pupil seems (by some) to unfairly overshadow the actual story of the film.
I'd give this 3.5 stars if I could, but the distinct lack of any additional material on this disk fails to sway me to a 4.
The main message of this film is one of making a difference, even if it's a small one. Mr. Underwood's infatuation with a schoolgirl is made more difficult to ignore when he becomes involved in her extra-curricular investigation into a local firm whom she believes is involved in manufacturing torture equipment.
This is a very political film and accurately reflects the feeling of many fellow left-wing thinkers in this country who recognise the wrong in the world and dream of making a change - but never getting round to it. Anti-Americanism is dealt with perfectly, and is balanced out when Gregory meets an actual `thinking American'.
Through a pupil, Gregory finds the inspiration to stamp his mark in the world and make a stand. His feelings towards her might be improper, but that doesn't make him a bad man - it makes him human. He can't help how he feels and though it undoubtedly affects his behaviour, his integrity prevents anything untoward. Infact, it's the suggestion that something indecent might well be happening that leads to the funniest scene in the film, where he tries to justify the time after school spent with Frances.
The characters are on the whole very believable, and the backdrop of grim council estates in urban Scotland give this an extra air of plausibility. Gregory reflects many guys who are perhaps misrepresented in film, and I think a fair few people can identify with his strong beliefs and perceived inability to do anything other than preach to those around him.
In a nutshell: The title of the film is misleading as the story isn't centrally based on his relationship with two women - they are important, but (and maybe I'm being a bit cynical) it seems more likely that the title is an attempt to jump on the nostalgia and appeal of the original. This could have been called something else, it is very much a standalone film rather than a true extension or sequel to the 80's British classic. Although the film sometimes feels a bit disjointed and slow, the character of Gregory is charming enough to keep you watching, and it was great to seem him absorb some of the youthful vigour from his scholar. The plot surrounding his attraction to his pupil seems (by some) to unfairly overshadow the actual story of the film.
I'd give this 3.5 stars if I could, but the distinct lack of any additional material on this disk fails to sway me to a 4.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
SO THATS HOW THEY DO IT.
Odd film, funny, in a very few bits, but rather disturbing, follows the escapades of the gawky youth from Gregorys girl now grown into gawky manhood.
John Gordon-Sinclair. Read more
John Gordon-Sinclair. Read more
Published 1 month ago by DOGBERRY
A BIT LET DOWN
I loved the first film and was suitably happy when a sequel was announced but although there are good performances throughout the film tries too many things and feels... Read more
Published 13 months ago by 747Rick
More of a plot-driven film than the original
I'm probably in the minority here as I think "Gregory's Two Girls" is actually an improvement on "Gregory's Girl". Read more
Published on 3 May 2010 by LXIX
Gregory still struggling to become an adult
A lot of fans of the first Gregory's girl film have obviously felt dissapointed with this sequal. On the surface this film has little or no relation to the first; Gregory says... Read more
Published on 7 Feb 2008 by Bruno
creepy
gregory's girl is laugh-out-loud funny, and i wanted to like this.
with it's lolita sub-plot and the creepy relationship between gregory and his friend, this sequel is... Read more
with it's lolita sub-plot and the creepy relationship between gregory and his friend, this sequel is... Read more
Published on 28 July 2006 by ian waddell
Pleasantly surprised
I have to say I refused to go and see this at cinema as I thought it was a blatent marketing scam - more about accruing revenue than a genuine attempt to update the life of hapless... Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2006 by Wrath of Ninian
Pleasing enough, and what's wrong with that?
Having just read some of the harsh reviews for this film after catching it on TV the other night i felt the need to voice an opinion. Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2006 by D. More
Unlike "Gregory's Girl", this film is disappointing
Having seen and loved the film "Gregory's Girl" this sequel is a real disappointment. I had been greatly looking forward to seeing it. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2005
Good film, dissapointing ending
This is a pretty good example of the 'british comedy', with all the right formulas to get laughs. Quite a shocking beginning with the lolita thread running in the background... Read more
Published on 25 May 2002 by Mike R
Fantastic!
Three years after the film came out I was at last able to catch up with the hapless Gregory once again. Read more
Published on 29 April 2002
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