This film is an oddity in the outlandish Ken Russell catalogue. Now seen on DVD in its full length, this joyful spoof collapses under its own weight by the time it's over. Unfortunate, because there's so much going for it: Twiggy and Tommy Tune both rise to the occasion. The cast of Russell regulars excels in their characterizations of third-rate theatrical denizens. The big production numbers are indeed eye-popping, so much so that it's easy to overlook Peter Maxwell Davies' superbly arranged music. Tony Walton's set designs and Shirley Russell's costumes are top-notch. So what's the problem? While the comic backstage machinations are spot on, the love story becomes tiresome and maudlin and brings down the pace considerably. Some of Russell's fantasias (the Grecian-inspired escapade, the colorful elves) are out of place, taking up too much time and distracting from the flow of things. Though "The Boy Friend" is a polished work of art, Russell can't help casting a jaundiced eye over the entire production. Viewers will either love it or hate it. Proceed at your own risk.
Review of The Boy Friend
