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Personal Services Details

1986 Certificate 18
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 1286 members

A seemingly conservative woman and her clientele of kinky connoisseurs become daily tabloid sensations when it's discovered that her suburban brothel caters to some of Great Britain's elite. Members of Parliament, diplomats, judges, bankers, and even men of the cloth are all caught with their pants down in England's scandal of .. Read more

Starring Julie Walters, Alec McCowen, Shirley Stelfox
Director Terry Jones
Genres Drama

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Personal Services cover art

Personal Services

A seemingly conservative woman and her clientele of kinky connoisseurs become daily tabloid sensations when it's discovered that her suburban brothel caters to some of Great Britain's elite. Members of Parliament, diplomats, judges, bankers, and even men of the cloth are all caught with their pants down in England's scandal of the decade.

Starring Julie Walters, Alec McCowen, Shirley Stelfox
Director Terry Jones
Studio ITV DVD
Run time DVD: 1 hr 45 mins
Certificate Certificate 18
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Hearing-impaired English
Released DVD: 07 Jul 2003
Production year: 1986
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (5) of Personal Services

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    This is a gently witty, if curiously coy, attempt by director Terry Jones to re-create the odd career of “luncheon voucher madam” Cynthia Payne. Julie Walters is a good choice to portray her droll matter-of-factness about the sexual proclivities of a succession of middle-aged men, but in its jolly, almost seaside postcard approach, the movie loses edge and bite. Jones and co basically bolster up the one-dimensional image of Walters's character as a cheery old duck whose early life was hard, but rich in experience, while its truly sad aspects are blithely glossed over.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006
  • 1 stars out of 4

    Rather astonishing study of British attitudes to sex; not for Aunt Edna, but with a fair measure of interest for many.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of Personal Services

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  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    A classic piece of film

    If you haven’t seen excerpts of this film in reviews, I will be surprised!

    Based on the life of Cynthia Payne (Madam and purveyor of all things kinky and sexual), it charts the rise of a brothel. Julie Walters stars in some unforgettable eighties outfits, and also in an interesting black plastic jumpsuit. A good evening's viewing.

      • chrisx from London
      • Posted 28 Mar 2004 16:41

  • Most recent members' review of Personal Services

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  • Rated - 3 stars

    Not Bad - Expected It To Be Slightly Funnier

    Certainly not a bad film. I felt that the story was a little lacking and I did not feel there was much continuity. I felt the comedy was a touch hidden and certainly not blatant, most certainly a British comedy effect! Overall, probably worth watching, Walters is as fantastic as ever, flippant, sharp and silver tongued - however her transition from relatively innocent madam to full blown sex queen was a little swift and unexplained!

      • Matthew Purcell from Birmingham
      • Posted 18 Nov 2005 23:38

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Rating breakdown

1,286 Member ratings
  • 100
146
  • 90
105
  • 80
249
  • 70
263
  • 60
228
  • 50
118
  • 40
79
  • 30
41
  • 20
40
  • 10
17

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