So, you're Roy Boulting. You're in the middle of the golden years of your career. You're handed James Robertson-Justice, Cecil Parker, Irene Handl and Raymond Huntley as cast members. What could go wrong?
Well, sadly, plenty.
The rather flimsy plotline - minor boys only public school recruits new French mistress who, at the age of 24 is some 30 years younger than was expected (did no one check her resume?). Headmaster's son falls for Mademoiselle. Headmaster realises he may have had more to do with Mademoiselle than he thought! - is insufficient to really flesh out any of the main characters. The script is flat (almost theatrical) abd the direction uninspired.
Agnes Laurent is gorgeous and probably the stand-out performer here, her naivety charming as it flutters around the avuncular pose adopted by anyone male (including one or two of the rather mature-looking boys).
The major cast members appear to be acting almost on autopilot.
If you approach this movie in the right way, you might find it a passable little romp - the problem is that one expects so much more of such an assembled cast.
3/10.
Review of A French Mistress
