London Affair (1970) User Reviews (22)

Somewhat silly but still very touching

[sol-kay · 6/10 · 25 October 2005]

**SPOILERS** Having fallen head over heels for American writer Scott Waldman, Charles Bronson, 16 year-old London school-girl Lola, Susan George,initiates a love affair with the much older man that goes from puppy love to a full-fledged affair to marriage and then finally to the sad realization that their relationship wasn't meant to be; and then have the two go their own separate ways as the movie ends.

Charles Bronson in a role that you'd never expect him to be in is both sensitive and touching, which is a Herculean task on his part, as 39 year old writer Scott Wardman. And young and leggy Susan George, who was 18 at the time, is also both touching and delightful as Lola as the two turn heads every were they go in the movie from London to New York City.

Scott who's really not at first in love with the very frisky and overbearing Lola falls for her more out of not wanting to hurt Lola feelings then anything else. Scott even leaves his what seems like fiancé Ursla,Sue Llyod,for the young and perky Lola without as much as a second thought.

Lola's parents who at first are shocked with her relationship with an older man and writer of "Adult Novels" later give in and give the two their consent to marry. Before you know it the two lovebirds are married in Glasgow Scotland and off to New York City to meet Scott's parents, who are about to get the shock of their lives, and live together as man and wife.

In the Big Apple things start to unwind when it becomes obvious that Lola isn't exactly the woman that Scott is willing to spend the rest of his life with. Lola soon also realizes that she's a burden on both Scott's work as a writer and his social life.

Partying and attending high school is not exactly the life that Scott, who's very introverted, expected with his wife Lola and he's torn between breaking up and staying with her. Scott fears that a breakup would lead to her killing herself and staying married would have him, as well as Lola, be miserable for the rest of their lives. It's in the end that Lola is the one to end the relationship by leaving Scott a "Dear John" letter on her blackboard, as well as her pet black cat "Mouse" for him to take care of. As she left for London to get back to the life she left when she fell in love with him.

Not as bad or corny as you might at first thought "Lola" treats the relationship between the much older Scott and the teeny bop-per Lola much better and honest than you would have expected from that kind of a movie. The movie does it with both sensitively and care not with sleaze and sensationalism.

The movie also has, besides Charles Bronson and Susan George, an all star cast that you also wouldn't expect from a low-budget and unknown film like it with Honor Blackman and Michael Craig as well as Paul Ford and Key Medford as Lola's and Scott's parents. There's also the very talented but rarely seen in motion pictures Orsen Bean as Scott's best friend and family lawyer Hal and look for a very young Jill Ireland, who was later to become Mrs. Charles Bronson, as an extra at the airport in the movie.

Visually appealing, but insubstantial

[jdwayside · 6/10 · 2 January 2006]

Well, there's Charles Bronson near his prime and heaps of nice female limbs in this film, so there is that going for it, regardless of your sex or preference, I suppose. There are other visual attractions besides the leads, though - some nice settings and camera work.

The problem is that, whilst the basic plot itself is somewhat plausible, it's just not handled to the depth that it could be. Bronson does a passable job as the writer who tries to be Hubby but ends up feeling more like Daddy half the time, but it is not his best effort by far. He really does better in thrillers like "Telefon". Susan George (as well as most of the actresses playing her friends/peers) comes off as being fairly vacuous, and acts more like she's 11 than 16. Perhaps this is meant to help us share some of Bronson's character's discomfort - but then he married her because she guilts him into it, or he guilts himself? Or what? I'm not buying it. Perhaps if there were some genuine deep chemistry and passion between the two, but I don't get that. The entire relationship comes off more like a long, uncomfortable play-date.

Okay, maybe it's supposed to - but then, what's the point?

And whilst as a male with the typical appreciation for the female form I can't say I really object strenuously to this, but hey - she wears a miniskirt in *every* scene, even in NYC in the wintertime? C'mon...

The soundtrack is also fairly hokey, even given when this film was made, and makes it feel even more contrived.

I gave this film a 6 of 10 because it's pleasant enough entertainment for the I've-no-date-tonight circuit, and because I'm a Bronson fan, but no higher because it really never draws in the viewer, and fails to make any lasting statement or impression.

Sort of a cartoony variation on "Lolita"

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 19 May 2001]

If Vladimir Nabakov had been born 40 years later (and had been 20-something in the British Mod era), he might have devised a story similar to this: an erratic but amusing, sometimes sincere romance concerning a 38-year-old writer of pulp novels in love with a brash 16-year-old London schoolgirl. Comedy-drama stars Charles Bronson and Susan George (who was 19 during shooting), and was the third film from director Richard Donner, who reportedly clashed with Bronson during the production (and didn't direct another feature until 1976's "The Omen"). "Twinky/Lola/London Affair" has expressive eyes and ears, but Donner doesn't quite know how to wrap things up, leading to a weak finale. Well-made and edited, however, and full of energy and appealing scenes. Fine acting by the leads, particularly Bronson in an early leading role. British-Italian co-production was released throughout Europe in 1970, but didn't reach the US until 1971 (barely) before being shown on television in December of that year. **1/2 from ****

This is a sensitive, upbeat film with a surprise.

[Gaijin-6 · 16 October 1999]

This is a sensitive upbeat film with a surprise. In many jurisdictions, this film could not be played in the present atmosphere of political correctness. A middle aged writer falls in love with an English schoolgirl - and it actually is love. There is humor throughout to keep it from crashing; more than that, the film creates it's own considerable energy from many points. The surprise is the nature of the inevitable tradgedy that is sure to befall a romance of such spread in ages - but the one you think will be broken most turns out to be the survivor who is most intact. It is a serious comment on the beloved and the imagination. It's a pity if it has not been produced as a video. Bronson is excellently cast and has a chance to show something outside his usual role.

It's all for love?

[lost-in-limbo · 5/10 · 25 March 2008]

Swing right into this undoubtedly silly, but mildly charming light-headed 60's British sex comedy / drama starring the stone-like persona of Charles Bronson and the young scarlet Susan George. Actually it's her long legs that become the centre piece, because most of the time she's fluffing about in miniskirts. The story focuses on a middle-aged American erotica writer, who falls in love with a sixteen year old British school girl. When her family finds out about their relationship, everything is turned upside down. Despite that they eventually marry in Scotland (since the law there allows it), and then head to America, but this is when their relationship is put to the test.

Now the subject matter here is risky, but the whimsical script and Richard Donner's peachy direction makes light of it, by having fun at its expense. So if anyone is looking for something raunchy, and perverted. Look elsewhere. Susan George brings a playful innocence to her role (maybe too much for a 16 year-old?), but on the other side of the coin Bronson's casually brooding performance is a hard one to make out. The chemistry between the two is terribly spotty. A glowing support cast are nothing more than nutty inclusions. Honor Blackman, Michael Craig and especially Trevor Howard are great fun to watch as Lola's family. In lesser but worthwhile turns are Lionel Jefferies, Jack Hawkins and Robert Morley.

After a quirky, and spirited pop-like first-half where the story amusingly moves back and forth between Twinky's parents, and her confronting Scott about her parents knowing. Then the film changes when it reaches America. Becoming quite glum, laboured and fairly straight (well just say not as kooky). The relationship begins to crumble, but at the beginning it wasn't all that convincing that you wonder how did it last as long as it did. The whole thing feels messy, and so does its message. There's just no depth, or structure to it all to leave an impression. The ending is rather awkward too. Richard Donner does a serviceable job, and includes some fashionable filming techniques (slow-mo, freeze frames, montages), and the jazzy score with plenty of colour and features some bogus theme songs.

What Can I Say?

[teddyryan · 4/10 · 17 February 2006]

What can I say? This is a weird one. Filled with sitcom jingles and 60s freeze frames, LOLA is a product of its time. It's also got some stinky performances. Chucky Bronson sleeps his way through the role of a writer. Unable reveal a single note emotion, Bronson displays the sensitivity of a gravy bowl. His stone grimace may be good for getting it done and blowing away bad dudes, but it's not going to do anything for relationships. Susan George (who plays Lola) is certainly attractive. But, she's her one-note "I'm going to be a 12-year old" approach to the role grows tiresome. All and all, it's very funny to see this thing. You can't help but wonder what was going in with these B-flicks or why in the world Bronson wanted to take this role.

Perfectly dreadful

[rdoyle29 · 5/10 · 14 August 2017]

Charles Bronson stars as an American author in his thirties living in England who marries his 16 year old girlfriend Susan George. They move to NYC and suffer through the shocking predicament that people don't understand their relationship and that they don't really get along all that well anyway. A fantastic supporting cast ... Honor Blackman, Jack Hawkins, Trevor Howard, Robert Morley ... are consistently wasted in this really annoying comedy. I usually love George, but she is nails- on-a-chalkboard annoying here.

Unbelievable Bronson!

[jamdifo · 7/10 · 21 December 2013]

I thought I knew just about everything about Charles Bronson and then I found out about this film. Bronson plays a 38 yr old writer of porno and seduces/falls in love with a 15 year old named Twinky (played well by Susan George). This sounded like a skit from Saturday Night Live, except Saturday Night Live wasn't around yet. Since this movie was filmed in 1969, Bronson was actually 48 and George 19 at the time of filming. And boy are they mismatched.

There is nothing really great about the story. Its just unbelievable seeing Bronson being affectionate, kissing Twinky, caring, putting up with an adolescent, and loving. I've never seen Bronson like this and never known him to be a romantic lead. I would love to know what Susan George thought of Bronson while filming this. Bronson shows more emotion and has more lines than I recall from any other movie he's done. And seeing him kiss the girl numerous times thru out the movie never stopped amazing me. This movie is worth the watch just to see a completely different Bronson!

What did I just watch?

[Leofwine_draca · 2/10 · 14 September 2019]

Oh dear. TWINKY turns out to be one of the most awkward, excruciating, embarrassing movies I've ever sat through, a comedic spin on the LOLITA tale in which a middle-aged novelist (his speciality is erotica, obviously) falls in love with a young school girl. If this sounds dodgy, it really is, especially in our modern times which don't look kindly on such pairings. It doesn't help that the massive age gap is further heightened by the casting of Charles Bronson, who always looked much older than his years, and Susan George playing her character as an immature, hyperactive little girl with the spirit of a 10-year-old.

Bronson certainly plays against type here but he seems bored by the whole experience, and you wish he'd go back to shooting crims instead. George is just irritating - imagine the flawed aspects of her character in STRAW DOGS and play them up times a hundred and you'll be there. A cast of distinguished British character actors are wasted in support, and the mindless script just goes on and on and gets increasingly unfunnier. The weirdest thing is that this was all directed by Richard Donner, who became one of America's top directors a decade later.

This Is Not Your Typical Charles Bronson Movie

[hrkepler · 6/10 · 7 June 2018]

Charles Bronson, one of the greatest action stars of all times, and Richard Donner, one of the greatest action film directors of all times, come together and the result is quirky romantic comedy that really pushes the boundaries into Nabokov's territoy. Charles Bronson stars as American author living in London when barely sixteen year old English school girl falls in love with him. Although she's in legal age, the girl's family and relatives doesn't approve their affair. The writer's friends also aren't very supporting on that matter. That is understandable as the guy could be her father by the age.

The film is not 'Lolita' as this time the older man falls under the spell of a young girl. Their relationship is plagued with more downs than ups, when sixteen year old girl fails to comprehend the world of working adults.

Silly

[Ainsley_Jo_Phillips · 3/10 · 6 June 1999]

My grandparents were also 16 and 39 when they got married. I could just imagine Grandma acting like Lola--about 14 years BEFORE her wedding day, that is!. To me, Lola acts more like, Macie Ann, my goddaughter's extremely-active two-year-old, than a bride (even a teenage one). To this day, I wonder what the point of this film is--and I don't think it HAS one.

SUSAN GEORGE AND BRONSON HAVE A BALL!

[whpratt1 · 10/10 · 19 June 2002]

Susan George explodes with great acting and a very sexy performance with Bronson, they make a fantastic couple running around London and New York City, in the late 60's. It is a very sweet love story, and you warm to these two actors, with a few laughs in between. Paul Ford, Trevor Howard and Jack Hawkins give fantastic supporting roles.

A Loving Description of a Big / Little -Relationship

[Apologi · 7/10 · 1 December 2021]

Living in a DDLG relationship (where both partners are adults and the other adult partner enjoys age regression to a teenage girl) we watched this together in a local art cinema with my partner. Enjoyed it immensely. My girl changed her ringtone to the theme song of the film.

We could recognize many themes of the movie in our own relationship. The silliness and playfulness of the girl, which is at the same time both infuriating and lovely. The mutual love, which nevertheless does not carry over all obstacles. I happen to write at home, so it is easy to identify the constant interruptions and the agravation caused by them. Nevertheless, Twinky loved Scott and tried to be silent, but also took the demands of silence personally. One of the most touching moments of the movies is the line where Twinky tells Scott, that he has to take both the roles of father and lover. Is it possible?

Grown up partner - younger girl relations are nowadays almost invariably portrayed following to the Lolita trope, in which the old partner is abusive. Twinky was a lovely movie, which portrays realistically the mutual attraction between an adult male and a young silly lively girl, which can grow into love, but also the challenges caused by the gap in age and sentiment. It is worth to note that despite Scott's and Twinky's relationship not standing up to the test of time, both still cared deeply for each other even after everything.

Filmography had some neat tricks, but nothing spectacular. The movie is courageous in exploring this theme, which was possible in the more relaxed times of the 1970's. Despite touching some deep themes, the movie itself is not very deep, but playful - which from another perspective perfectly suits the theme.

The Frank and Mia Story

[bkoganbing · 2/10 · 24 May 2007]

In watching this film I was reminded of the May/December romance of Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow which was all the news a year or two earlier. I think that's where the author got his inspiration.

Charles Bronson is a writer of pornographic novels who's having an affair with teenage Susan George in swinging London of the sixties. For convention sake and to escape a charge of statutory rape, they marry.

They don't find life easy either in London with her family or in New York with his. Basically that's the film and I agree with other reviewers that the movie had no real point to it.

Who's bright idea was it to have Bronson as a writer of pornography. That added nothing to the film except make him look like a dirty middle aged man.

One of his worst and I can't believe so many talented people got roped into this one.

Very 60's style movie/mini skirts abound

[dr_salter · 21 January 2002]

Susan George as Twinky( what a weird name?) is a convincingly vacuous 16 year old British virgin who seduces a 32 year old American writer of pornography (Charlie Bronson). Must be unusual for Bronson cause he never kills or hits anyone. The plot is simple but the whole effect of mini skirts, long legs and blonde hair on Twinky plus the contrast of short black rugged Bronson as Scotty is funny and watchable. Bronson being loving and patient with the annoyingly bouncy playfulness of a 16 year old kid who is 'good in the sex' department is worth the time.

Tepid Lolita Reboot

[wes-connors · 4/10 · 27 June 2010]

Sexy schoolgirl Susan George hops off her bicycle and jumps into bed with muscular Charles Bronson, the older author of the erotic literature she's been reading. And, to quote of his books, "Their bodies fused in a tangle of heat…" Like reading, you have to imagine those scenes, though... Well, the couple have problems. For one thing, she can't cook. But, more importantly, she's sixteen and he's thirty-eight. Since this constitutes statutory rape, they have a problem. Will these crazy London lovebirds work it out?

The co-starring couple are a serious mismatch; mostly due to Mr. Bronson's performing style, they are never believable as a couple. Consequently, Ms. George's attempt to throw out a Lauren Bacall line - "If you want me, just whistle" - simply bounces off Bronson; on Humphrey Bogart, it stuck. Otherwise, this isn't one of the worst films ever made. John Scott and Jim Dale give it a breezy "Georgy Girl"-like soundtrack, the supporting cast works, and George looks thoroughly sexy riding her bike in those mini-skirts.

**** Twinky (1/6/70) Richard Donner ~ Susan George, Charles Bronson, Orson Bean, Trevor Howard

look at the legs and he's really old

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 17 August 2021]

38-year-old American writer Scott Wardman (Charles Bronson) is having a fling with 16-year-old British schoolgirl Twinky/Lola (Susan George) in London. His work is banned in Britain. He has overstayed his Visa and they decide to get married.

To me, Charles Bronson has never been a romantic lead. He was old even when he was a young buck. In this movie, he's supposed to be in his late 30's although he protests that he's 32. In real life, he's closer to 50 and looks to be in his late 50's. Thank God, Susan George is close to 20 rather being actually 16. She's playing a childlike Goldie Hawn. The movie keeps pointing the camera at the young ladies' bare legs. It's trying to be Lolita. I get it but it's somewhat off-putting. I don't get the romance or Bronson's old-man appeal. I do find some parts of the second half a bit funny. It's not romantic. It's not that fun but Twinky does grow on me. She's not completely clueless. Quite frankly, Bronson is miscast in this and the movie struggles with its tone. It tries for comedy but it's only funny in little bits like her mother's little comments. This may have some social commentary but I can't decipher it. My lasting memory of this may end up being the young ladies' legs and that Bronson always looks older.

Fascinating, and funny for the wrong reasons

[michaelberanek275 · 9/10 · 4 August 2020]

This was such a hoot in places, with Charles Bronson playing some kind of polo-knecked low-life writer who's found himself somehow a statutory rapist i.e. of the angel faced and delightful Susan George. Our Lola-lita seems in an infantile trance and sorts of romps around and squeeks all her lines, but sorry her schoolgirl outfits with the white stockings are to die for. It feels much like that Britney Spears video on replay, but without the gloss. Beyond offering uneasy exploitation thrills there lies much for future generations to be baffled by, or indeed appalled. It's amazing how far we have come. It's hard to believe this passed for a harmless kind of smutty humour. There's a moment when Lola is teased by Bronson's character that she was trafficked by a friend effectively bought by him... with another girl... harr harr!!! Great grimy unappealing backdrops in London and New York add to the moodiness of the drama. The music is psychotic elevator muzac and is a moral crime in its own right. But the story almost redeems itself by the abrupt and brainless ending. It's a must see for the curious definitely and quite unforgettable.

silly sixties wish-fulfillment

[katemcgregorau · 23 January 2002]

This one's a bit of a spoiler.

The sixties and the sexual revolution was a wonderful era as many people finally saw their sexually liberated selves and/or their fantasies on the silver screen for the first time. Unfortunately it also led to a lot of half-baked wish-fulfillment movies, such as this one - where a much older man, little Charlie Bronson in too tight jeans, falls in love with the Britney Spears-esque English rose, Twinky.

What could have been an enlightening comedy of how two people's minds meet despite a large age gap, and the reactions of the staid British society to them, is instead a featherweight story with ridiculous plotting and superficial characterisation.

Scant attention is paid to how the two meet or how they fall in love, instead the film shows twinky riding to meet Charles resplendent in kinky school uniform and Bronson looking off into the middle distance as a passable attempt at pretending to be in love. After the initial interaction between the two in Bronno's flat (Twinky burns his breakfast - hilarious!!) they rush off to Scotland to get married, Twinky rushes off to show her school friends her new bloke, then the pair rush off to New York to meet his family.

All this rushing means the movie gets sillier and sillier as Twinky joins a protest, Charlie B goes to prison and the viewer doesn't know what absurd event will happen next. With the final denouement, a fight where Charles gets a bit shirty cos Twinky is distracting him and so she hides for three days, my patience finally wore out - these two people have nothing in common and never have, for the entire length of the film. Even when Twinky returns for England the viewer was left with a sense of the ridiculous as why would they divorce after their very first fight?

Insomnia has a lot to answer for - I was up at 2am watching this messy film, I saw it through to the end but I have to say it was bit too silly. My only recommendation would be to watch is as a good example of the aforementioned sexual wish-fulfillment and of sixties fashion, or if you just can't sleep!

Great and funny film

[suelyon · 20 January 1999]

This is a good comedy film as well as a love story about the younger/older type. It's got interesting music and it's a real funny film-definite watch!!!!

Tough guy Charles Bronson and sexy Susan George as a VERY odd couple

[lazarillo · 30 May 2010]

This is a VERY unusual role for perennial movie tough-guy/vigilante Charles Bronson. He plays an American writer of pornographic novels living in Britain who gets involved with a teenage British girl (Susan George). Her parents are less than thrilled (although personally I'd be too scared to tell Bronson he couldn't date my teenage daughter). But the real trouble comes when he takes her back to America to meet his own judgmental family and where the disparity in their ages starts to take its toll.

The American title of this "Lola" may suggest it was inspired by the notorious Vladimir Nabokov novel "Lolita", but the original British title was actually "Twinky", and it was allegedly based on an autobiographical(!) story by screenwriter Norman Thaddeus Vane (who might have been even more sex-crazed than Roman Polanski--at least Polasnski didn't make movies about his affairs with underage girls). The title "Lola" (without the diminutive "ita") is somewhat appropriate though because casting the then 19-year-old Susan George in the role takes away the seriously perverse elements of the story (you'd have to be a sick pervert to NOT be attracted to her). So this becomes more of just an absurd comedy about an older guy trying to carry on an affair with a much younger girl who he is really more of a father figure to.

This is probably not a favorite of Bronson fans, but he was such a rigidly typecast actor (kind of like John Wayne) that its nice to see him play a different role (He's miscast, but not nearly as much as Wayne was playing Genghis Khan). Susan George doesn't really have much to do but ride around on a bike in her schoolgirl outfit (but, believe me, that's plenty). Director Richard Donner seems a little embarrassed by this (he took his name off the print I saw), but this is the same guy that made those stupid "Lethal Weapon" movies with that douche-bag Mel Gibson. . . This isn't great, but you just can't go totally wrong with an oddball, off-beat movie like this.

LONG ON LEG, SHORT ON PLOT DEVELOPMENT

[WHLRYDR · 12 May 2004]

Miniskirt fans, this is for you! It's 1969, and we're watching a precocious Susan George in schoolgirl miniskirts, happily chatting away, burning breakfasts and generally being a teen, while Charles broods, and wanders through this flick, like he doesn't quite know how to handle a chick that's old enough to be his daughter. This is an update on the Lolita theme but has none of the sexual tension of Nabokov. Simply, a great flick if you like to fantasize about hooking up with a babe 20 years younger than you. Unfortunately, the version produced by "Passion Productions" (where did they get THAT name???), is of murky quality; if you find another (even the VHS version has to be better!), buy it. I think a better flick was the one with William Holden. At least he had FUN!