Privileged *** (1982, Robert Woolley, Diana Katis, Hugh Grant, Victoria Studd, James Wilby, Imogen Stubbs, Mark Williams) – Classic Movie Review 5976

Director Michael Hoffman’s 1982 British film tells an old-fashioned, 1960s-style story of an egocentric actor and is an odd choice in 1982 for a feature film made by an amateur cast and crew from Oxford University with professional help and advice, including from John Schlesinger.

The screenplay by Michael Hoffman, David Woolcombe and Rupert Walters ingeniously links the tale of Oxford student party-goers vying for a role in, and then rehearsing, a student production of John Webster’s play The Duchess of Malfi, with themes from the play as suicide follows sexual shenanigans, adding elements of a whodunit to the film.

It is an interesting and worthy enterprise, Robert Woolley as the selfish hero shows pin-up charm and the visual presentation shot by Fiona Cunningham Reid on the actual Oxford University locations is commendably smooth.

With screen debut appearances from future stars Hugh Grant (then Hughie) as Lord Adrian, Imogen Stubbs, James Wilby and Mark Williams, it is certainly well worth a look.

Also in the cast are Diana Katis, Victoria Studd, Simon Shackleton, Jenny Waldman, Ted Coleman and Michael Hoffman.

The classical score is by Rachel Portman in her film debut at the age of 22. It is  the first theatrical release from the Oxford University Film Foundation. It is an Oxford Film Company production, released by ITC, produced by Rick Stevenson and Mark Bentley, and designed by Peter Schwabach. The film uses dance tracks by Oxford student band Kudos Points, who include Charlie Mole, who also went on to compose film scores.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5976

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