The Knack… and how to get it

Patchily funny but generally dated and embarrassing Swinging Sixties tale of Crawford's meek and mild schoolteacher learning 'the knack' of picking up women from lecherous lodger Brooks, and trying out his technique on new-girl-in-town Tushingham. A misogynistic basis for comedy, not redeemed by the moralistic and predictable ending, and all shot in Lester's characteristically 'zany' style, with people running around all over the place for no apparent reason. Some of the tricks work; most don't; and Crawford, as always, is a pain.