Fackham Hall

If you want to have a serious night then don't watch this movie. It's pure silliness which is what I was looking for in a movie tonight. I enjoyed the dry humor and puns. The murder mystery was a nice addition, but it didn't take itself too seriously either. All in all I feel confident in saying that you should Fackham Hall if you can.

I saw this in a busy, raucous theater in NYC, and I think that's the best way to experience this film. We laughed and giggled for pretty much the entire runtime, so it gets a 9/10.

It is such a fun, silly movie. If you're willing to take it on its own terms and have a good time, it can be an instant comfy classic comedy. Some jokes are clever and smart, some are slapstick and stupid, but the film is always funny. It's a good lampoon, not really a cutting satire at all, and I'm a bit surprised at that expectation. It pokes fun at Downton Abbey, Knives Out, and even a bit of Atonement in the silliest ways.

J. R. R. Tolkien is so delightfully funny as a side character - my whole theater just endlessly giggled anytime he appeared. I'll probably watch it again just to pick out all the insane little things with him.

For me, this sits on the shelf with The Princess Bride, History of the World, and The Meaning of Life. I'm content with that. It does what it sets out to do. Endlessly quotable, immediately rewatchable - just don't go in expecting a cutting, critical darling of cinema. Go in looking to laugh for a couple hours and wonder how something so stupid could be so brilliant. Have fun. Bring friends.

It's refreshing seeing modern movies go against the grain of seriousness and instead create a silly movie for the goal of laughs. Its these movies that become a part of pop culture and beloved classic like Naked Gun and Monty Phython. I wish I could say that Fackham Hall will land among the greats in this niche genre, but unfortunately that would be a lie. I could tell the actors enjoyed creating this movie and quite possibly had to muster all of their strength for the scenes because my theory is they had to hold back from laughing themselves at the script. Was it genuine laughter or a criticism of the movie? Who is to say.

I wish I had enjoyed it as it was stocked full of amazing jokes but they were poorly executed creating a theatre of movie goers anticipating something, anything for a chuckle and left disappointed except for one boisterous middle-aged man who was audibly animated in his contagious cackles resulting in members of the event to laugh at his reactions instead of the movie itself.

The main line is very well written, it is interesting and bites you to watch to reveal the story, the cast is amazing, the entourage is wonderful, the costumes and scenery are excellent, the camera work is perfect, but this choice of "the naked gun" style of jokes .... Nevertheless, we watched the film to the end, and enjoyed some punch lines.

Hadn't heard so much laughters in a theater for a long time. Airplane meets Downton Abbey. The cast is excellent. Damien Lewis especially shines. 90% of the jokes delivered. It is indeed a fun filled 1.5 hours - perfect length for a comedy. I enjoyed it being irreverent, fast paced and nary a dull moment. Definitely a movie to lighten up the holidays.