Mord im Pfarrhaus

Gloria (Kristin Scott Thomas) is a woman with problems. Her clergyman husband seems not to notice that she's there, and she resents his job, her daughter is sex-mad and her son is being bullied, and she is deprived of sleep by the incessant yapping of the neighbour's dog. Then into her life walks an angel in the form of a new housekeeper, Grace.

Thomas does very well with the central role in the film, Rowan Atkinson is absolutely brilliant as the mild-mannered clergyman Walter, and Maggie Smith is amazing as always as Grace.

This is not a side-splitter comedy but it is certainly a comedy, as it deals with a number of serious issues of religion and morality with a light touch. Primary among these issues is the age old question of "whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings of arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing, end them." Gloria's approach to her "sea of troubles" is the approach of Job, and sure enough we hear echoes of this as Walter composes a sermon referring to the Book of Job. Grace has another approach.

Having a character who is a vicar enables the filmmakers to slip such Biblical references naturally into the script. It is a definite treat to hear Atkinson read the Bible (and in circumstances which make the viewer actually listen to what is being said!). Even with the Bible-reading, though, do not make the mistake of thinking that this is a film for young kiddies or prudes.

The film is so deftly made that there is always a lighthearted tone no matter how dark the subject matter, and the acting ranges from solid to exceptional. It's not the greatest film ever made but it is engaging and enjoyable.

I went to this movie looking forward to a mindless comedy. I was very pleasantly surprised. Very! I was first introduced to Rowan Atkinson in the 70's and have only seen him in silly, caricature ( a caricature of himself) type roles and I love him in these roles. But he did an amazing job as a serious, thoughtful (bordering on glum) Vicar, and was absolutely believable as his journey and his attitude changed ... I would never have put him in such a role, but he really pulled it off. I was also surprised, pleasantly, at the intense spiritual undertones (okay, at times overtones) woven throughout this most enjoyable film. It was interesting to see a movie use religion as a backdrop for such a deep look into what (in my humble opinion) is clearly a non-religious aspect of human spirituality.

You could drive a horse and cart through the plot holes in this movie. It doesn't matter, just splash about in the humour. It has the predictability of a Stan and Ollie routine, Morecambe & Wise or any other such comedians who mix story telling with visual and verbal humour. Rowan Atkinson is of course the comedian cast in the straight part trying to regain a sense of humour. Maggie Smith is absolutely superb as the straight actress playing the clowning criminal. A bit of sound effect filched from Reeves and Mortimer's frying pan sketch would have heightened the humour even more. Never mind, this is harmless, charming, and engaging entertainment. Entertainment - now we don't get much of that to the pound usually.

This is an almost perfect "naughty" English comedy whose humour is too complicated to be described. Rowan Atkinson, Maggie Smith, and the rest of the cast are perfect. This is the most understated I have ever seen Atkinson, and marks an interesting evolution for him. Two young ladies in front of me were still giggling halfway through the closing credits, and the entire audience, judging from the laughter, had a great time. I chuckled all the way home - think I'll go see it again tonight, as I have an "Unlimited" card, so can see as many movies as I like for 11 pounds a month.

Seriously, this is not a "sweetness-and-light" comedy - it has a dark side, which is evident from the beginning, but that aspect drives the humour, because it touches feelings in us which we must restrain, but in watching the film we are allowed to indulge them. It also has a lot of very deep things to say about marriage and religion (Atkinson plays a shy, self- absorbed country vicar with a beautiful wife and daughter whom he neglects) without indulging in the usual superficial post-modern ironic attacks on either institution. In fact, it has some very intelligent things to say about both of them.

You really must see this movie - it is a gem - if you know people who don't normally go to the movies (like older in-laws) urge them to see this one, or at least rent the DVD.

This charming little black comedy should have all but ultra conservatives smiling throughout the ludicrous scripting, eluding gaping plot holes and complete unrealism with sheer likability. A friendly, very export-worthy British comedy, Keeping Mum is a throwback to guilt free, sinister joys that were in much greater fashion before everyone decided to let their films guide their morality. Nothing has recently personified this old fashioned, fun spirited creepiness as affectionately as Maggie Smith's vibrant performance for her semi-cuckoo, housemaid with a few secrets of her own. With a delightful, perceptive supporting cast, the plot may not exactly pull you in (especially the first half), but will nonetheless keep pleasant spirits anchored as the real fun takes hold. Rowan Atkinson in particular, portraying a character not unlike his famous bumbling priest in Four Weddings and a Funeral, gets to exercise more of his subtle comedic chops then usually seen, and the ensuing awkwardness that radiates whenever he is on screen is sweet and endearing.

Despite the obvious tone of an utmost fictionalization, I suppose Keeping Mum will still take a few hits for it's portrayal of religion and murder, but anyone seriously trying to analyze the lack of morality on this one will have missed the whole carefree point. The characters might have been completely unbelievable by the time this thing is over, but the nature of this kind of entertainment does not beckon one to take offense to that.