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Getting It Right

Getting It Right

Gavin is 31... and a virgin. One wild night and three woman later, he's finally... Getting It Right.

1989102 minRMidcredits score: 54th percentile of all films
Director
Randal Kleiser
Starring
Jesse Birdsall, Lynn Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter, Jane Horrocks

Gavin is 31 years old and still lives with his parents. He is awfully shy but before he knows it there are three women interested in him. Lady Minerva Munday has a casual way of life and lives in a basement, Joan is an over-sexed millionairess, married to a Greek architect. But Gavin prefers the ugly assistant in the barbershop.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Getting It Right?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove does not list Getting It Right on any major US streaming service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Getting It Right?

Getting It Right earns 2 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Feel-good.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Getting It Right worth watching?

Getting It Right's Midcredits score is the 54th percentile of all films, from 1.1K ratings across 4 sources. 53% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

54th percentile

Better received than 54% of films

61st percentile among Comedy56th percentile among 1980s
Acclaim (how much people like it)50th
Approval (how many liked it)56th

61 /100

50th percentile of all films

57th percentile among Comedy53rd percentile among 1980s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.5 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

53% liked it

56th percentile of all films

63rd percentile among Comedy59th percentile among 1980s
53% rated it 7–1047% rated it 1–6

Critics 71% · Audience 74%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Reach

How many have seen it

45th percentile

1.1K ratings across platforms

38th percentile among Comedy41st percentile among 1980s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 18% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$73K
Domestic gross$960K
Worldwide gross$960K

42nd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A gentle, small-scale British romantic comedy about a shy virgin navigating his first relationships.

Fans praised

  • Charming, warm tone with delicate British wit
  • Strong cast and tight, finely attuned screenplay
  • Tender, sincere romance with relatable protagonist

Detractors panned

  • Numb, indecisive protagonist and stale character study
  • Plot goes nowhere, harmless but aimless
  • Over-reliance on voice-over narration

What stands out

Acting75

Cast praised as professional and heartfelt; detractors find Redgrave enjoyable but lead numb

AtmosphereDivisive70

Pleasant London setting with 60s British film nostalgia

Dialogue68

Droll British humor and pearls of wisdom

CharactersDivisive65

Quirky supporting characters add depth; protagonist seen as passive and uninteresting by detractors

Emotional impactDivisive65

Tender and sincere; detractors find it emotionally flat

HumorDivisive60

Classy but very British; laughs few but solid

Plot and storyDivisive55

Formulaic coming-of-age journey; detractors call it going nowhere

Originality40

Comparisons to The Graduate; seen as conventional but with a gentler tone

Watch experience

What is Getting It Right like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Romantic: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are in the mood for a love story.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Romantic.

The answer rests on this: Moods
WarmRomanticJoyful
Heaviest: late
Dry humor
Register
WarmTender · 13% of filmsWry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its romantic comedy straight with gentle, understated charm and warm affection for its characters.
The rideA gentle, warm romantic feeling is sustained throughout, with the emotional weight settling on Gavin's late choice of Jenny.
StructureA conventional beginning-middle-end told in order, with Gavin's voice-over narration guiding the introspection-heavy story.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves a warm, smiling feeling — a gentle affirmation that getting involved is worth the risk.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% (this title) · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Romantic comedy: Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.

11% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA shy 31-year-old virgin's cautious romantic quest to finally get involved, resolved when he commits to the right woman — a classic romantic comedy arc.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfRomanticlove
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% (this title) · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Romantic love · 15% of filmsComing of age · 5% of filmsSelf-worth · 7% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film is about a man who has kept himself from love out of fear of mistakes, learning that getting involved means risking them — a pursuit of romantic love that doubles as his passage into adulthood.
StanceThe film warmly affirms Gavin's choice to risk involvement for love, presenting romantic commitment as something worth having.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · hybrid · Colin Towns
SettingLate-1980s London: a chic hair salon, Gavin's parents' home, and the upper-class social circle he is drawn into
MusicA gentle orchestral score topped off by a Dusty Springfield title song.

Cast and crew

Who is in Getting It Right?

Cast

Jesse Birdsall
as Gavin Lamb
Lynn Redgrave
as Joan
Helena Bonham Carter
as Minerva Munday
Jane Horrocks
as Jenny
Richard Huw
as Harry
Pat Heywood
as Mrs. Lamb
Bryan Pringle
as Mr. Lamb
Shirley Anne Field
as Anne
Peter Cook
as Mr. Adrian
John Gielgud
as Sir Gordon Munday

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Getting It Right?

Movies like Getting It Right include Lovewrecked (2005), Notting Hill (1999) and What's Love Got to Do with It? (2022). Of the 12 closest matches, all are friends-to-lovers stories, and several are films set in London.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

All 12 share its story type: romantic comedy. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Getting It Right?

1.8K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: friends to lovers. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.