Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush

Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush is an evocative British comedy film directed and produced by Clive Donner in 1968. The film breaks norms by exploring teenage life in the 1960s, a period usually documented with restraint and propriety. This comedy springs forth through the artful merger of the era's wave of freedom, love, and colorful blossoming, and an exploration of a teenager’s wants in a life where almost everyone seems to be having more fun than he.

Barry Evans, famous for his role in "Mind Your Language," plays the role of Jamie McGregor, an ambitious, quirky, and slightly nervous 17-year-old virgin living in the evolving town of Stevenage. He is just another middle-class teenager, but with a not-so-small ambition - seeking to unlock the mysteries of the opposite sex. This youthful infatuation and dilemma forms the premise for many amusing moments throughout the film.

Jamie is not content with the predictable life that his older brother and parents live. He dreams of adventures, in particular those involving the opposite sex. He wants to break free from the mundane routine of mid-20th century society. Yet, despite these dreams and aspirations, he often meets with hilarious failure. The film chronicles this desire for independence and his burgeoning exploration of sexuality, clad in the cloak of ripe and expressive British humor.

Most notably, Judy Geeson and Angela Scoular play intricate roles as two main women in Jamie's life and each symbolizes the varied aspects of female personalities that Jamie encounters. Judy Geeson, with her innocent charm, contrasts with Angela Scoular's experienced and vivacious persona. Geeson portrays the character of Mary Gloucester, a young woman just as inexperienced and naive as Jamie is about life’s etiquettes, meanwhile, Scoular, as the audacious and seasoned Paula, brings new experiences and life lessons to Jamie’s world.

Another praiseworthy aspect of the movie is the quintessentially 60’s soundtrack, largely provided by the British rock band Traffic. The soundtrack lends an authentic voice to the era and articulates the ambience and sentiments of the time, adding a layer of emotional depth to the narrative and enhancing the viewing experience. The catchy title song, “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush,” emerges as a symbolic narration of Jamie's inviting yet convoluted journey through adolescence.

The filmmaker, Clive Donner, has done an exceptional job in capturing the spirit of the swinging 60s, a time of cultural revolution, through a vibrant palate of colors and styles. His creative vision has portrayed a detailed and precisely nuanced visual narrative reflective of the era’s social landscape.

The film can be perceived as a tasteful blend of comedic elements and life’s realities wherein individual scenes varying from hilarious to heart-breaking, in turn, conjure a unique and engaging story. It provides both an entertaining look at the rebellion and freedom defining the era and a sincere study of Jamie's innocence and his brave attempts at deciphering the world he inhabits.

The script, witty and dynamic, is admirably adapted from the novel of the same name by Hunter Davies. With its potent humor and stark coming-of-age narrative, the film invites audiences of all ages to perceive adolescence's trials and tribulations through the lens of Jamie's life.

Above all, Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush successfully captures the optimism, hope, and naivete of youth set against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving society. With its memorable performances, engaging narrative, laugh-out-loud moments, and an iconically nostalgic soundtrack, the film remains an endearing representation of the cultural zeitgeist of the 1960s. This classic British comedy stands as a testament to the period, allowing modern audiences to travel back in time and experience the vibrancy, charm and innocence of an era long past, yet persistently influential.