Pop songwriter Mike Beresford (James Aubrey) picks up a pretty hitchhiker named Ginny Wilshire (Alison Elliott) who, along with friend Carol (Debbie Linden), had been thumbing their way home from Nottingham to Wimbledon. Carol had taken off after meeting a truck driver down the road. Mike and Ginny get along well, and make a dinner date for later that evening. The two are quickly smitten, sleeping together that night. It’s not long before the two are spending all their time together. Mike introduces Ginny to his parents, as well as his friends and professional collaborators, including the band with which he primarily works, Bad Accident (Jigsaw). In a clever bit of casting, the band’s front man is played by Chris Jagger, Mick’s lookalike (at the time) younger brother.
However, one day Mike discovers Ginny’s engraved bracelet that makes it unequivocally clear that she is just 14-years-old. Under British law, 28-year-old Mike has inadvertently been committing statutory rape. He initially insists they must end the relationship, but their feelings for each other eventually have him agreeing to continue the relationship. Before long though, Ginny’s parent’s (Mark Burns and Juliet Harmer), realize their daughter has been dating a much older man and the police are brought in. Very quickly, Mike finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of unwanted publicity, and friends and business associates cutting off contact with him.
The most obvious criticism that can be leveled at Home Before Midnight is the fact that actress Alison Elliott in no way resembles a 14-year-old girl, rather looking like a young woman in her early 20s. Admittedly, Ginny is supposed to look older than her years, but she’s not believable as a young teen, either. According to Walker, Elliott was 17 at the time of filming; she carries herself like a woman in her early twenties, and taking off her make up or putting her in a school uniform doesn’t change that.
Despite that, the rest of the film is rather logical. Ginny withholds her real age until Mike finds out himself. However, her behavior, the way she excerpt’s drinks in bars and how she handles herself in clubs gives him every indication she’s at least 16 or 17. (In the U.K. 18 is the minimum age for purchasing alcohol, though 16-17 year olds can consume it in pubs, bars, etc., under certain conditions.) Both are overcome by love, but in the end, she shows her immaturity when she is easily swayed by her parents and others to provide false testimony of a nonconsensual sexual assault.
Previously released on DVD in the U.S. through Media Blasters, Home Before Midnight has been given an impressive Blu-ray release by Kino Lorber/Redemption. Presented in the 1.66:1 aspect ratio, the film itself looks rather sharp. The title looks a bit dirty, but aside from that, the print is clean. Colors are accurate, if not overly vivid. Flesh tones look natural.
The English LPCM 2.0 track is fairly clean, with a few small pops throughout. Dialogue is easily discernible. No subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
- “Promiscuous Behavior,” an Interview with Pete Walker, by Elijah Drenner (11:09) Walker discusses his thoughts on the film, the cast, and cameraman Peter Jessop.
- Theatrical Trailer
- Trailers for other Pete Walker titles.
