DVD Review: Rachel Papers, The (B)

The Rachel Papers (1989)
Directed by Damian Harris
Starring Dexter Fletcher, Ione Skye, Jonathon Pryce, James Spader and Jared Harris
MPAA:R
Grade: B

Review by Scott Standish

Charles Highway is like the British Ferris Beuller. He exists on his wits and always gets what he wants. He keeps data files on his conquests and has a certain smugness that somehow comes off as charming.

Charles seems to have met his match in Rachel (played by Ione Skye). She's smart, sexy and completely unattainable. She is wise to his tricks and besides, she has a successful boyfriend (James Spader). The Rachel Papers is all about Charles' attempts to initially get her to make love to him, but eventually, he realizes that he loves her and wants more.

Charming and a little bit more intelligent than I was expecting, The Rachel Papers is a nice coming of age story. Highway is seriously ripping off Matthew Broderick in Ferris Beuller, but you can't blame him, that probably needs to fall on the shoulders of Damian Harris, the writer and director.

If you are fans of Ione Skye or James Spader, this is a must rent as they do excellent work here.

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