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IMDbPro

An Unsuitable Job for a Woman

  • 19821982
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
221
YOUR RATING
An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1982)
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Mystery
Cordelia Gray is hired by a businessman to investigate the suicide of his estranged son. However, the young private detective soon develops feelings for the dead young man which thrust her i... Read allCordelia Gray is hired by a businessman to investigate the suicide of his estranged son. However, the young private detective soon develops feelings for the dead young man which thrust her into danger.Cordelia Gray is hired by a businessman to investigate the suicide of his estranged son. However, the young private detective soon develops feelings for the dead young man which thrust her into danger.
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
221
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Christopher Petit
  • Writers
    • P.D. James(novel)
    • Elizabeth McKay(screenplay)
    • Christopher Petit(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Billie Whitelaw
    • Paul Freeman
    • Pippa Guard
Top credits
  • Director
    • Christopher Petit
  • Writers
    • P.D. James(novel)
    • Elizabeth McKay(screenplay)
    • Christopher Petit(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Billie Whitelaw
    • Paul Freeman
    • Pippa Guard
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 3User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations

    Photos50

    An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1982)
    An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1982)
    An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1982)
    An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1982)
    An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1982)
    An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1982)
    An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1982)
    An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1982)
    An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1982)
    An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1982)
    An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1982)
    An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1982)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Billie Whitelaw
    Billie Whitelaw
    • Elizabeth Leamingas Elizabeth Leaming
    Paul Freeman
    Paul Freeman
    • James Calendaras James Calendar
    Pippa Guard
    Pippa Guard
    • Cordelia Grayas Cordelia Gray
    Dominic Guard
    Dominic Guard
    • Andrew Lunnas Andrew Lunn
    Elizabeth Spriggs
    Elizabeth Spriggs
    • Miss Marklandas Miss Markland
    David Horovitch
    David Horovitch
    • Sergeant Maskellas Sergeant Maskell
    Dawn Archibald
    • Isobelas Isobel
    Bernadette Shortt
    • Tempas Temp
    James Gilbey
    • Boyas Boy
    Kelda Holmes
    • Girlas Girl
    Margaret Wade
    • Secretaryas Secretary
    Alex Guard
    • Mark Callenderas Mark Callender
    Peter Jaques
    • Priestas Priest
    • (uncredited)
    Emma Lawrence
    • Girl 2as Girl 2
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Christopher Petit
    • Writers
      • P.D. James(novel)
      • Elizabeth McKay(screenplay)
      • Christopher Petit(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film was entered into and selected to screen in competition at the 32nd Berlin International Film Festival in 1982 to compete for the prestigious Golden Bear award which was won by Rainer Werner Fassbinder's Veronika Voss (1982).
    • Quotes

      Bernie Pride: [narrating his suicide note]

      [on his gun]

      Bernie Pride: Don't go waving it about I never got a permit for it

    User reviews3

    Review
    Top review
    3/10
    An Unsuitable Job for a Woman
    The PD James book An Unsuitable Job for a Woman was turned into an ITV series in the late 1990s.

    Before then it had been a low budget feature film.

    Cordelia Gray (Pippa Guard) takes over the detective agency she was working for after her boss kills himself.

    Her first job is to find out the circumstances of why a young man Mark Calendar hanged himself.

    Mark was the son of a wealthy constructor James Calendar (Paul Freeman.) Elizabeth Leaming (Billie Whitelaw) is the stern housekeeper who approaches the detective agency.

    Cordelia becomes obsessed with Mark. He was estranged from his father. Cordelia discovers that Mark had been wearing women's clothes when he killed himself. Someone changed his clothes and cleaned the makeup off his face afterwards.

    She later doubts if Mark actually did commit suicide.

    This is an unsatisfactory movie for the viewer. An arty murder mystery.

    It is shot like a film noir. Director Christopher Petit wanted this to be like a ghost story that unearths hidden family secrets. He did not succeed. The characters are so thinly sketched, actors such as Freeman and Whitelaw are left struggling.

    Pippa Guard is underwhelming as Cordelia Gray. The scene when she nearly hangs herself is risible. Even the ending is underpowered.
    helpful•7
    7
    • Prismark10
    • Apr 23, 2021

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 26, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ett opassande jobb för en kvinna
    • Filming locations
      • London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Boyd's Company
      • Carolina Bank
      • Goldcrest Films International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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