Take a Girl Like You

Take a Girl Like You, directed by Jonathan Miller, is a classic British romantic comedy-drama from 1970, featuring an impressive line-up of stars including Hayley Mills, Oliver Reed, and Noel Harrison. Based on the Kingsley Amis novel of the same name, the movie perfectly encapsulates the zeitgeist of the late 1960s and early 1970s, a period marked by spirited youth, new ideologies, and changing moral standards, particularly regarding relationships and gender roles.

Hayley Mills, the charming Disney child star all grown up, portrays the heroine of this tale, Jenny Bunn. Jenny is a naïve young school teacher from Northern England who has just arrived in the bustling London suburbs to start a new job at a local secondary school. Her innocence and fresh-faced beauty make her an instant target for roguish womanizer Patrick Standish played by the charismatic Oliver Reed.

Patrick, a handsome but somewhat self-absorbed English Literature teacher at the same school, sets his sights on the prim and proper Jenny, as a sort of personal challenge to his seductive prowess. In pursuit of Jenny’s affections, Patrick’s relentless advances make up the central narrative plot of Take a Girl Like You.

Oliver Reed delivers an exceptional performance, adding depth to his lothario character through convincing displays of vulnerability and genuine affection for Jenny. His determination to win her over is equally matched by Jenny's insistence on preserving her virginity until marriage – a moral standpoint she obstinately maintains, making for a compelling game of push and pull between the two leads.

Jenny's traditional values and reserved demeanor contrast sharply with the liberalism and liberation of the Swingin' Sixties. Her interactions with the libertine Londoners at her new residence, including Dick Thompson and Martha Thompson, both friends of Patrick, add an extra layer of complication and humor to the plot. Hayley Mills’ enchanting portrayal of Jenny’s resilience challenges not only Patrick’s pursuits but also the prevailing societal norms of that era.

Lending a quintessentially British flavor to the cast, Noel Harrison portrays the affable Julian Ormerod. Julian's genteel charm and respect for Jenny's values put him in direct opposition to Patrick’s assertive demeanor. The chemistry between Harrison and Mills augments the movie's romantic tension, shaping a charismatic love triangle that renders the plot intriguing and unpredictable.

Jonathan Miller's direction commends attention with its vibrant imagery illustrating the chic aesthetics of the era. This is further accentified by the jaunty soundtrack performed by The Foundations, which adds an extra dimension to the film, emphasizing the culture clash between rural and urban England, traditional and modern attitudes, and the underlying theme of female empowerment. The clever screenplay, courtesy of George Melly, weaves a complex narrative blend of comedy and drama that resonantly echoes the cultural landscape from which it was born.

The supporting cast, including Ronald Lacey and Sheila Hancock, brings richness and diversity to the narrative. Their performances contribute to the textured social backdrop of 1960s Britain, making the characters feel more real and relatable.

In summary, Take a Girl Like You is a relevant and thought-provoking film that skillfully combines humor and drama while offering a charming glimpse into the liberal and transformative period of the late 60s and early 70s in Britain. The stand-out performances of Hayley Mills, Oliver Reed, and Noel Harrison contribute significantly to its charm, whilst the complex exploration of courtship, relationships and moral standpoints ensures that the film still resonates with audiences even five decades after its release.