Genevieve

Critics Consensus

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Movie Info

The plot of the thoroughly captivating British comedy Genevieve can be summed up in a sentence: Two young couples participate in the Vintage Car Rally, a yearly race from London to Brighton. The title "character" is the 1904 Darracq auto owned by John Gregson and Dinah Sheridan. The couple's friendly rivals are Kenneth More and Kay Kendall, the latter graduating to stardom on the basis of this film. At first treating the race as a lark, the two couples become increasingly--and hilariously--competitive as they near the finishing line. Among the film's plethora of small pleasures are Joyce Grenfell as a wry hotel proprietress and Arthur Wontner as an elderly car fancier. Despite the many technical gaffes and continuity errors overlooked by director Henry Cornelius, Genevieve is a uniquely British delight from beginning to end, its charm enhanced by the uncredited harmonica score of American expatriate Larry Adler. The film was a moneymaker in every country that it played, and a multi-award winner in England and abroad. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Classics, Comedy
Directed By:

Henry Cornelius
In Theaters:

Jan 1, 1953 limited
On Disc/Streaming:

Dec 31, 2012
Runtime:

86 minutes
Studio:

VCI Entertainment

Cast

John Gregson
as Alan McKim

Dinah Sheridan
as Wendy McKim

Kenneth More
as Ambrose Claverhouse

Kay Kendall
as Rosalind Peters

Geoffrey Keen
as Policeman

Joyce Grenfell
as Hotel proprietress

Harold Siddons
as Second Speed Cop

Arthur Wontner
as Elderly Gentleman

Leslie Mitchell
as Himself

Reginald Beckwith
as Motorist

Edie Martin
as Guest

Michael Medwin
as Husband

Michael Balfour
as Conductor

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Critic Reviews for Genevieve

All Critics (5) | DVD (1)

This lively comedy is one of the best things to have happened in British films over the last few years.

Jan 31, 2018 | Full Review…

MFB Critics
Monthly Film Bulletin
...a delightfully humorous frolic. Fun stuff, this.

Sep 7, 2011 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review…

John J. Puccio
Movie Metropolis
Exquisitely funny comedy with a fabulous musical theme.

Oct 2, 2004 | Rating: 5/5

Nell Minow
Movie Mom

View All Critic Reviews (5)

Audience Reviews for Genevieve

Jul 17, 2009

And the London-Brighton vintage car run's still running

Lesley N Super Reviewer
Apr 08, 2007

english through and through

jay n Super Reviewer
Apr 04, 2007

an advert for never buying an old car or a film about a race? who knows? a classic british comedy! the scene with the big clock going off outside the room window was great. it was well enjoyable and that's all that matters at the end of the day, y'know what i mean?

Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer