The Movie Blog

Forgotten Fridays - St. Trinians

By Rodney - July 24, 2009 - 19:28 America/Montreal

Thanks for checking out our Forgotten Fridays feature. This is something we want to try out to review some older films that maybe you have forgotten about or maybe never got around to seeing that we just want to share.

I know this is NOT a very old film, but not one that I find most people know about. If you have, then this is your reminder to make other people watch it.

Today’s review is St Trinians

THE GENERAL IDEA

St Trinians proudly continues to represent the unacceptable face of British education. When the new Minister of Education announces he will personally sort the place out he doesn’t realise either the enormity of the task or that the headmistress is an old flame. The school is anyway threatened with closure by their bank; with the staff clearly a waste of space the girls realise the responsibility to save the day falls on them. Perhaps a stealing and fencing off a very valuable painting would be the way out?

THE GOOD

The movie has all the charm of highschool cliques exaggerated to the most fun extremes. The misguided youth that self govern the school are all heaps of fun. Once the dotey new comer, the neice of the Headmistress (played wonderfully by the cross dressed Rupert Everett) finds acceptance, they try to figure out which clique she belongs with. The “makeover” scene is the most fun montage I have ever seen. Silly fun.

The movie features amazing performances by the students and the supporting cast. Russell Brand is a lot like his normal self but different enough to enjoy him. This was the film that introduced me to sex on a cracker known as Gemma Arterton, and she just oozes sex appeal that made her deserving of a Bond Girl (though I like her more in this)

Overall, there is nothing too shocking about this schoolgirl movie crossed with a comical heist film. Its just plain fun and riding stereotypes.

Small roles played by Lena Headey (From Sarah Connor Chronicles) and the quizmaster (Stephen Fry) as well as a blonde Mischa Barton as the former Head Girl.

THE BAD

This movie will not appeal to everyone. It grabbed me with the racy schoolgirl fantasy and kept me with its charming play and a fun romp of a movie. It really appeals to the Brit humour at times, and the occassional rolling of eyes. But its a lot of fun. Maybe just not going to appeal to everyone.

OVERALL

If you tend to find my Forgotten Friday Picks in line with your own tastes, I suggest you take a shot at this quirky comedy.

Also as a side note, the cast of this film is re-uniting for a sequel which will star the Former Doctor David Tenant and return Gemma Arterton to her slinky hot schoolgirl role in St Trinian’s: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold

Typically this is where we would write a “Out of 10″ rating, but since all of these Forgotten Friday reviews are going to be what I would already give a high rating to, I have made my own rating system.

TV - Make a point of watching it if you see it listed on TV.
Rent - Good enough to go out of your way to see it, but not enough to buy it.
Buy - So good. You will watch it again and again. Buy it!

So on a scale of TV, Rent or Buy I suggest Rent!