Is Personal Services Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Personal Services is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 105 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.

Verdict:Personal Services is a confirmed FLOP based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 6.0/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Comedy genre.
Answer: Yes, Personal Services is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 105 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1987, Personal Services emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Fed up with working hard just to scrape by, Christine Painter comes up with a bold plan to become the madam of a brothel and earn her financial freedom: she opens a house of spanking to fabulous reviews. Unlike standard genre fare, Personal Services attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Personal Services features a noteworthy lineup led by Julie Walters . Supported by the likes of Shirley Stelfox and Alec McCowen , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
In summary, our editorial assessment of Personal Services (1987) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.0/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Quick Plot Summary: Personal Services is a Comedy film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Breakdown: Personal Services concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
The final moments of Personal Services reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Worth Watching If You:
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $1.7M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |








Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At HomeAnalyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6/10, and global collection metrics, Personal Services stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1987 cinematic year.
Personal Services has received mixed reviews with a 6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Personal Services is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy movies, but read reviews first.
Personal Services may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
Julie Walters is great in this story of a woman who starts off life working in a café but ends up being arrested for living off the immoral earnings made running a brothel for the great and the good. It's loosely based on the rise and fall of the renowned madam Cynthia Payne (who consulted on the drama) and reaches inside the murky sex industry, laying bare peccadilloes galore as we discover a wide variety of kinks that keep all ranges of society entertained and/or employed. "Christine" is a shrewd business woman whom aided by her stalwart "Dolly" (Danny Schiller); "Shirley" (Shirley Stelfox) and the RAF veteran Wing Commander - in panties and a bra - "Morten" (Alec McCowen) is making quite a go of her elicit enterprise. The police pop up now and again, but for the most part Terry Jones left me with thinking that this is actually quite an empowering drama. Certainly some of the women taking part do so out of necessity - and perhaps that is rather underplayed here - but we are also presented with the inescapable fact that human beings are all different and that the Victorian-era proscription of sex, and of sexual practices between consenting adults is long outdated and certainly no business of the state or their agencies. David Leland has written a script that is peppered with realism, sarcasm and proves ideal for the on-form Walters and her well targeted delivery. It does meander around familial discord a bit, which I didn't need - but the last few scenes speak (or should that be spank) volumes about the hypocrisy and double-standards that prevail in a society that should enjoy sex and keep it's nose where it belongs... It's good fun and thought-provoking in equal measure, and well worth a watch.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.