Charles Herold (cherold) This quirky movie puts the original play - a parody of 20s stage musicals - and tucks it within a movie that is a parody of 30s movie musicals. It's an interesting conceit, with an uprepared understudy taking over for an injured star while a supporting player does her best to sabotage everyone in a bid for the attention of a famous film director who has just wandered in.The problem with a parody within a parody is it can be difficult to tell what is awful on purpose and what is just awful. Is the awkward banter that starts the film an purposeful? I have no idea. The result is more entertaining than it is good, but it contains some wonderful things. Most wonderful is Tommy Tune, a brilliant dancer who could have been a movie star in an earlier time. Dancing down the hall during a conversation or telling his life story as an elaborate dance is indescribably wonderful. It's a shame director Ken Russell didn't just toss his original concept and build a movie around Tune. Sadly, his few scenes comprise the bulk of his film dancing.Oddly enough, some of the film's most interesting moments are only in the 1987 re-release, such as the utterly bizarre forest scene and "The You-Don't-Want-To-Play-With-Me Blues" number.Many of the musical numbers are tributes to Busby Berkeley, and the results are mixed. The numbers are sloppy by BB standards, and Russell rarely puts any spin on the numbers to make them more than inferior clones. Still, they're generally pleasant and I really like the double kaleidoscope thing.Twiggy is pleasant in the lead and there are good performances by Christopher Gable as the male star and Antonia Ellis as a schemer, and a few vaguely familiar faces. Overall the Boy Friend could be be described as a failed experiment, but it's such an interesting experiment that I still enjoyed watching it.

adamwarlock For once, it seems, Russell tones down the sexuality and violence and makes an ode to musicals and the theater. It is still full of his indulgences, Felliniesque numbers that go on and on. That's my problem with the film, too long. Cut it by a half hour or more. It's so obvious our heroine is going to make good by the end that there's no suspense or real drama. Too many characters who are mostly back stabbing jerks. Twiggy and Tommy Tune come off well.

nickrogers1969 Oh, how I love this film! It is my favourite musical. I adore how it takes place in a run down, almost empty theatre with unknown actors who are all hungry to be discovered. They aren't above deceiving their colleagues in order to shine a little extra in front of the film director sitting in the audience! I adore the cast of British actors who really bring these second rate theatre actors to life! It's still charming to watch after all these years. My favourite character is Maisie played by Antonia Ellis.I first saw it on German television in the long version and recorded it on video. Lucky I did because the film was unavailable for so many years and when I did find a copy it was a much shorter version without many of my favourite scenes. The ones with the "Nicer in Nice" and "I got the you don't want to play with me blues" were missing. The musical numbers in the forest and when they are leprechauns were much shorter. Thank goodness that Warner Brothers have finally released the whole film in a complete remastered edition with all the scenes restored in a 136 minute version!! The picture quality is pristine. The DVD really could have benefited though from a commentary track with Ken Russell and Twiggy. I'm dying to hear how the film was conceived! It is such an imaginative and inventive film.It is a joy to watch. I am aware that some people can't bear to watch it or understand it. I enjoy every "overlong" minute of it! The dancing is amazing. Twiggy is so sweet and perfect for the part of Polly. She is a good dancer and has a nice pleasing voice. I wonder why she didn't make more films after the Boy Friend. I wish it had been more of a hit. A year later another backstage movie was released showing the shoddiness and decadence of theatre life. Cabaret is well known but the Boy Firend is a film no one has ever heard of…Please take the time to discover this light hearted gem!

barb_ko I had to stop watching after about 20 minutes.One of the most uncomfortable movies I've ever seen.I don't understand how anyone could like this movie.NOT charming at all to me.I had to stop watching after about 20 minutes.One of the most uncomfortable movies I've ever seen.I don't understand how anyone could like this movie.NOT charming at all to me.I had to stop watching after about 20 minutes.One of the most uncomfortable movies I've ever seen.I don't understand how anyone could like this movie.NOT charming at all to me.