Publisher: CinemaSerf May 24, 2024
John Gordon Sinclair got a BAFTA nomination for his efforts here in 1981 before the film went on to take the best screenplay honour in 1982 - and it's his charming effort as the lovestruck, geeky, teenager from Cumbernauld that endures even now. He is the eponymous lad who isn't on form with the school football team so is moved into goal. He's not exactly pure dead brilliant, but perks up when the apple of his eye - "Dorothy" (Dee Hepburn) shows some interest in joining the team. A girl playing football! Don't be absurd! Well the school decides it needs to win more than it needs to worry about her sex, so in she comes to the team and that gives the hapless "Gregory" a chance to befriend her a wee bit more and maybe even to pluck up the courage to ask her out for a bag of chips! What ensues is a gently comedic enterprise that invites all of us to recollect our acne-years, when hormones were raging, decisions were lousy and we all had the hots for someone (usually someone unattainable) at school. What he doesn't know is whether she's the least bit interested in him - with or without his best pal's dapper white jacket. It's an engaging rather than ground-breaking observation of teenage life but it also reminds us of the internecine way we all looked out for each other (ostensibly) as our bodies started their adult and sexual phases. His character is also well supported by savvy little sister "Madeline" (Allison Forster) and there's a even a bit part for Scots comedy legend Chic Murray. It's a bit dated, but the principles still apply and it's an easy ninety minutes that makes you cringe in all the right places.