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The Rachel Papers

  • 19891989
  • RR
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
2K
YOUR RATING
The Rachel Papers (1989)
Charles Highway (Dexter Fletcher) is in control of his life; he is about to finish sixth form college and start at Oxford. He is nineteen and wants an "older" woman before he turns twenty.
Play trailer1:46
1 Video
22 Photos
  • Drama
  • Romance
Charles Highway (Dexter Fletcher) is in control of his life; he is about to finish sixth form college and start at Oxford. He is nineteen and wants an "older" woman before he turns twenty. E... Read allCharles Highway (Dexter Fletcher) is in control of his life; he is about to finish sixth form college and start at Oxford. He is nineteen and wants an "older" woman before he turns twenty. Enter the beautiful Rachel Noyce (Ione Skye), and Charles puts his 'master-of-seduction' ro... Read allCharles Highway (Dexter Fletcher) is in control of his life; he is about to finish sixth form college and start at Oxford. He is nineteen and wants an "older" woman before he turns twenty. Enter the beautiful Rachel Noyce (Ione Skye), and Charles puts his 'master-of-seduction' routines into top gear. Things however get complicated, Charles has a string of exes and a w... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Damian Harris
  • Writers
    • Damian Harris
    • Martin Amis(novel)
  • Stars
    • Dexter Fletcher
    • Ione Skye
    • Jonathan Pryce
Top credits
  • Director
    • Damian Harris
  • Writers
    • Damian Harris
    • Martin Amis(novel)
  • Stars
    • Dexter Fletcher
    • Ione Skye
    • Jonathan Pryce
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 24User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
    • 56Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:46
    Trailer

    Photos22

    The Rachel Papers (1989)
    Ione Skye in The Rachel Papers (1989)
    Ione Skye and Dexter Fletcher in The Rachel Papers (1989)
    The Rachel Papers (1989)
    Ione Skye in The Rachel Papers (1989)
    Dexter Fletcher in The Rachel Papers (1989)
    Ione Skye in The Rachel Papers (1989)
    Ione Skye in The Rachel Papers (1989)
    Ione Skye and Dexter Fletcher in The Rachel Papers (1989)
    Ione Skye and Dexter Fletcher in The Rachel Papers (1989)
    Ione Skye and Dexter Fletcher in The Rachel Papers (1989)
    Ione Skye and Dexter Fletcher in The Rachel Papers (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dexter Fletcher
    Dexter Fletcher
    • Charles Highwayas Charles Highway
    Ione Skye
    Ione Skye
    • Rachel Noyceas Rachel Noyce
    Jonathan Pryce
    Jonathan Pryce
    • Normanas Norman
    James Spader
    James Spader
    • Deforestas Deforest
    Bill Paterson
    Bill Paterson
    • Gordon Highwayas Gordon Highway
    Michael Gambon
    Michael Gambon
    • Doctor Knowdas Doctor Knowd
    Lesley Sharp
    Lesley Sharp
    • Jennyas Jenny
    Jared Harris
    Jared Harris
    • Geoffas Geoff
    Aubrey Morris
    Aubrey Morris
    • Sir Herbertas Sir Herbert
    Claire Skinner
    Claire Skinner
    • Gloriaas Gloria
    Nicola Kimber
    • Vanessa Reynoldsas Vanessa Reynolds
    Shirley Anne Field
    Shirley Anne Field
    • Mrs. Seth Smithas Mrs. Seth Smith
    Pat Keen
    • Mrs. Tauberas Mrs. Tauber
    Amanda De Cadenet
    Amanda De Cadenet
    • Cathyas Cathy
    Gina McKee
    Gina McKee
    • Evonneas Evonne
    Daniel John
    • Chrisas Chris
    Shirley King
    • Tauber Academy Assistantas Tauber Academy Assistant
    Siri Neal
    • Sukias Suki
    • Director
      • Damian Harris
    • Writers
      • Damian Harris
      • Martin Amis(novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Although not credited, Eric Stoltz played one of the guests at the table when Deforest (James Spader), Rachel (Ione Skye), and Charles (Dexter Fletcher) go to the café.
    • Quotes

      Charles Highway: The best first impressions are the ones that are misleading. I mean, you can be whoever you want and whoever they want you to be.

    • Alternate versions
      The 2003 R1 DVD release features an extended version of the "Electric Moon" love scene which is more explicit than the version on the VHS release.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Sea of Love/True Love/The Big Picture/Shirley Valentine/The Rachel Papers (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      I've Got Your Preasure Control
      Performed by Simon Harris

      Courtesy of London Records

    User reviews24

    Review
    Top review
    Like Donnie Darko but sexier
    My first taste of 80s movies came with the Breakfast Club and most recently I saw Donnie Darko, okay not an 80s film but a film with a plot set in 1988. The love btw the characters in Donnie Darko is nothing compared to the Rachel Papers, in fact the Rachel Papers offers a deeper sense of love, literally. Now Darko fans please don't kill me I am not comparing the films, but the love between the characters.

    I was led to this film after wandering the aisles at my local video store. After seeing the video cover, which featured the pair smiley on a vespa I decided to read the back of this video. The plot seemed fun and interesting, movies with nerds trying to win the girl always please me as its comical to watch them achieve their goal. I bought the video and enjoyed it, the film had it all. Laughter, shock in the initial watching, suspense if Charles would ever get the girl, and of course a sexy main lead by way of a young Dexter Fletcher. The film is excellent and it surprises me that the movie never caught on back then. A movie like that in 1989, released now in the world we live in 2004 would probably be a hit among teenagers now with the internet and everyone trying to get it on. Ah the Rachel Papers make me reminisce of love back in my early College years, it will probably make you reminisce of lost love. This film is not one to miss.
    helpful•3
    5
    • tooshyshygirl1981
    • Jun 25, 2004

    FAQ1

    • What are the differences between the US VHS and the US DVD?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 12, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Er? Will! Sie Nicht?
    • Filming locations
      • London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Initial Film and Television
      • Longfellow Pictures
      • Virgin
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $201,468
    • Gross worldwide
      • $201,468
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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