It's a delight, one of the high points of Russell's extravagantly uneven career.

It is delightful entertainment, novel and engaging.

Consistency was never Russell's strong point.

...a peculiarly British film, revelling in the downward spirals of downtrodden while still looking up at the sequins and stars painted on the ceiling…Russell’s flamboyant direction makes something curious of this old musical that still stands up now...