Gregory’s Girl

Gregory’s Girl

Year: 1980

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: Bill Forsyth

ComedyRomance

This has to be the match of the day… A teenager falls hard for the female soccer player who has replaced him on the team and attempts to pursue her.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Gregory’s Girl (1980)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Gregory’s Girl (1980). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:43

Main Characters – Gregory’s Girl (1980)

Meet the key characters of Gregory’s Girl (1980), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Gregory Underwood (John Gordon Sinclair)

Gregory is a schoolboy who plays on his football team and is absorbed by his early romantic feelings for Dorothy. He shifts from center forward to goalkeeper when Dorothy proves herself, which tests his confidence and loyalty to friends Andy and others. He navigates jealousy and awkward dating attempts as he grows into a more self-aware young man.

⚽️ Football 💘 Romance 🧭 Coming-of-age

Dorothy (Dee Hepburn)

Dorothy arrives as a skilled footballer who quickly earns a place on the team, displacing Gregory as centre forward. She embodies competence and charm, prompting Greg to pursue her while also triggering the girls’ orchestrated dating dynamics. Her presence catalyzes both athletic and romantic developments in the story.

⚽️ Football 💪 Talent 👭 Friendship catalyst

Susan (Clare Grogan)

Susan is Dorothy’s friend who reveals that the group’s dating plans are a coordinated effort among the girls. She confesses the scheme and helps shape Gregory’s dating experience, later sharing in the romantic outcomes. She represents the social intelligence of the group and the playful manipulation of teen romance.

👭 Friendship 💬 Social dynamics 💖 First romance

Carol (Caroline Guthrie)

Carol is Dorothy’s friend who initially sets up the date scenario, guiding Gregory toward the chip shop and toward new companions. She demonstrates how the girls collaborate to influence the boys’ romantic pursuits and maintain social balance within their circle.

👭 Social dynamics 💬 Social planning 🍟 Social outing

Madeleine (Allison Forster)

Madeleine is Gregory’s precocious 10-year-old sister who offers dating advice and comments on her brother’s romantic adventures. Her observations provide an innocent, sometimes blunt perspective on romance, highlighting how younger siblings perceive mature relationships and the idea of honesty.

🧠 Clever 👧 Sibling dynamics

Andy (Robert Buchanan)

Andy is Gregory’s friend who experiences jealousy as Gregory gains new dating traction. He embodies the awkward, aspirational side of adolescence and the competitive edge that comes with seeking attention from peers. He also participates in the broader social misadventures surrounding football and romance.

⚽️ Football 😒 Jealousy 🤝 Friendship

Margo (Carol Macartney)

Margo is another friend drawn into the social web surrounding Dorothy and Gregory. She contributes to the group dynamics and the evolving dating narratives, illustrating how a circle of friends shapes individual choices through shared plans and responses.

👧 Friend 👀 Observant

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:43

Major Themes – Gregory’s Girl (1980)

Explore the central themes of Gregory’s Girl (1980), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚽️ Sports & Competition

The plot centers on a school football team and a talent-driven trial that shakes up the lineup. Dorothy’s arrival proves she can play at a high level, causing Gregory to reassess his own role. The team dynamics shift as Gregory moves from centre forward to goalkeeper, highlighting how competition can redefine friendships and status. The athletic setting underlines the independence and confidence that come with proving oneself on the field.

👭 Friendship & Social Dynamics

A web of girl friendships drives much of the social plot, with Madeleine steering Gregory’s dating efforts from the sidelines. The women in Gregory’s world arrange and influence romantic encounters, illustrating a communal approach to romance. Dorothy, Carol, Margo, and the others cooperate in steering events, revealing a bond that shapes the male protagonists’ choices. The line between friendship and manipulation blurs as plans unfold.

💘 Young Love & Self-Discovery

Gregory’s attraction to Dorothy sets off a journey of first experiences and misadventure in romance. He imagines dating Dorothy but ends up dating Susan after a sequence of miscommunications, kisses, and second chances. The story explores naive idealism, experimentation, and the awkward learning process of growing up. Through these small romances, Gregory uncovers what he values in relationships and himself.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:43

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Awkward teenage romance movies like Gregory’s Girl

Stories of endearingly clumsy first crushes and the gentle chaos of adolescent affections.If you enjoyed the charming innocence and relatable awkwardness of Gregory's pursuit in Gregory’s Girl, you'll love these similar movies. This list features gentle comedies about first love, high school crushes, and the endearing fumbles of teen romance, all with a hopeful and optimistic feel.

awkwardcharmingearnestoptimisticteenagenostalgicgentleromantic

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a protagonist navigating the confusing world of teenage attraction. The central conflict is often internal—building confidence, interpreting social signals, and overcoming shyness—rather than external high-stakes drama. The journey is one of small, relatable triumphs and setbacks that lead to personal growth.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together for their shared focus on the lighthearted, earnest, and often humorous side of first love. They share a low-intensity, optimistic tone where the stakes are emotional and personal, not life-altering, making the experience universally relatable and charming.

Gentle coming-of-age stories like Gregory’s Girl

Nostalgic tales of personal growth found in the ordinary moments of youth.Fans of the everyday charm and nostalgic warmth of Gregory’s Girl will appreciate these similar movies. This collection focuses on coming-of-age stories where the focus is on friendship, self-discovery, and navigating social dynamics with a steady, lighthearted pace and an ultimately happy resolution.

nostalgiccharminggentleoptimisticteenageearnestawkwardfriendship

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is a straightforward, character-driven journey centered on self-discovery within a familiar social setting like high school. The protagonist learns about themselves and others through interactions with friends and peers, with the plot built from a series of relatable, slice-of-life events that collectively signify growth.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their gentle approach to the coming-of-age genre. They prioritize mood—nostalgia, charm, optimism—over complex plotting, and feature low-intensity conflicts that are resolved in a way that feels authentic and hopeful, capturing the universal experience of adolescence.

Unlock the Full Story of Gregory’s Girl

Don't stop at just watching — explore Gregory’s Girl in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Gregory’s Girl is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Gregory’s Girl Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Gregory’s Girl, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Gregory’s Girl Summary

Gregory’s Girl Timeline

Track the full timeline of Gregory’s Girl with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Gregory’s Girl Timeline

Gregory’s Girl Spoiler-Free Summary

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Gregory’s Girl Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Gregory’s Girl

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Gregory’s Girl: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Gregory’s Girl

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Discover movies like Gregory’s Girl that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.