Gregory's Girl

Gregory's Girl is a 1981 movie written and directed by Bill Forsyth. Only Forsyth's second movie, it became a surprise hit.

Following description contains no plot-spoilers: Like many of Forsyth's movies it is set in Scotland; it is a feelgood coming-of-age movie set in and around a state secondary school in Cumbernauld. The star (John Gordon Sinclair ) plays Gregory, an ordinary, awkward, shy teenage soccer player. There are notable ensemble performances of great freshness by young actors, with a notable synergy between Dee Hepburn and teacher Jake D'Arcy . The movie has now acquired a patina of nostalgia, attractive to those who were at at school in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It is also notable for its slight touches of magic realism. Claire Grogan has a minor part that helped promoted her media career.

The movie was poorly re-dubbed for the USA market, to help American viewers cope with the heavy Scottish accents. Most fans recommend the British release as superior.

A sequel, Gregory's 2 Girls, was filmed by Forsyth in 1998 but not released until 2000. Its script development process suffered interference by the Arts Council and the movie received mixed reviews.