The Knack... and How to Get It

1965 "Some have it, Some Don't."
The Knack... and How to Get It
6.3| 1h25m| en| More Info
Released: 29 June 1965 Released
Producted By: Woodfall Film Productions
Country:
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

A nebbish schoolteacher begs his smooth (and misogynistic) pal to teach him 'the knack' – how to score with women. Serendipitously, the men meet up with a new girl in town, as well as a friendly lunatic who can’t help but paint things white.

... View More
Stream Online

The movie is currently not available onine

Director

Producted By

Woodfall Film Productions

Trailers & Images

Reviews

Lee Eisenberg In between "A Hard Day's Night" and "Help!", Richard Lester directed this look at swinging London. "The Knack ...and How to Get It" has the same sort of humor as Lester's collaborations with the Beatles (and even takes time to show the generation gap). Unfortunately, the depictions of gender relations are dated at best, and the last part of the movie turns rape into a joke. This will come across as especially inappropriate in an era when large numbers of women have exposed some notable men as sexual predators.Aside from that, the movie is enjoyable. A fair amount of zany stuff and rapid-fire dialogue make it something that you'll probably like watching, understanding that it's very much a product of its time.
Dalbert Pringle Attention, All You Carnally-Curious Viewers! - If you want the "knack" and seriously wanna know "how to get it" - Then steer clear of this quirky, off-the-wall, 1965, comedy - 'Cause it's sure to leave your head spinning, as you find yourself even more clueless than you already are.If nothing else - "The Knack" (directed by American film-maker, Richard Lester) is (movie-wise) historically significant in that it is sandwiched in between 2 of Lester's more notable pictures - "A Hard Day's Night" and "Help!", which, of course, starred the Beatles.Even though "The Knack" (which was set in London and filmed in b&w) is a pretty silly and scatterbrained tale about the lustful pursuit for sexual conquests - It certainly did have its interesting and entertaining moments.And, yes - With "The Knack" now being 52 years old - It is, indeed, dated - But still definitely worth a view. Yet - With that said - I do caution you, that its decidedly-eccentric brand of humour isn't gonna appeal to everyone.
gavin6942 Cool and sophisticated Tolen (Ray Brooks) has a monopoly on womanizing - with a long list of conquests to prove it - while the naive and awkward Colin (Michael Crawford) desperately wants a piece of it...This is very strange. We start with a creepy womanizer and a man who looks up to him. This seems about right for the 1960s, and still comes off as sleazy without ever having any nudity. Well done, Richard Lester.But then it takes a turn where the creepy guy gets even creepier and is accused of rape. While his methods are very much putting people under duress, the film decides to make a joke of rape rather than take any of it seriously. I don't know how to feel about any of this. Is anyone in this film worth looking up to?
andyetris This is a manic Richard Lester comedy very similar to "A Hard Days Night," and if you liked that movie you'll like this one. It's a somewhat rambling froth-of-life tale about an awkward young man (Michael Crawford) who wants to learn how to pick up girls from his popular housemate (Ray Brooks). Brooks' attempt to instruct Crawford in the mysteries of the knack go hilariously awry when the pair encounter the flighty Rita Tushingham.I'm a little surprised that this won a Palme d'Or, but it IS very funny in a not-too over-the-top way. It's dramatically superior to contemporary early '60's comedy, and the principals turn in wonderful performances. If you like it, be sure to check out Lester's sunny nonsense "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and the distinctly darker "How I Won the War."