Una Loca Familia

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.

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.

I saw this film recently and I was pleasantly surprised. It reminded me of the old Ealing Comedies as it was charming but had a definite sense of delicious wickedness running through it. All of the main characters are funny in their own way particularly Rowan Atkinson and Maggie Smith. It reminded me so much of and Ealing Comedy that after a while I could only see Alec Guinness in drag when Maggie Smith was on screen. Kristin Scott Thomas started out as being being a bit of a female Hugh Grant in Four Weddings and a Funeral and showed that she can be quite funny but towards the end she gets a little unconvincing once some revelations unfold. All in all it has it's minor misgivings and gets a little too silly and unbelievable in places but I'd give it a go.

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.

Niall Johnson's 'Keeping Mom' is a delightful black comedy. Russo and Johnson's innovative screenplay, the pleasant score and the surprising cast and the dark humour is brilliantly put together. At the same time, the characters are very identifiable. After all, Grace is just a mother who's protecting her children, Gloria just wants her husband's affection, Walter just wants to excel in his 'profession' and Lance is a sleaze you might have met once. Yet, the story cleverly takes them to extreme ends that results in murder, infidelity and voyeurism. Pretty much all the actors are cast in roles you have never seen them play before. Kristin Scott Thomas is the heart of the film (as the director himself stated) and she performs very naturally. While Atkinson has played Reverend earlier, he actually delivers a very subtle performance where he downplays the comedy (unlike his regular in-your-face comedy sketches). He is proving to be a versatile comedian. I loved how Patrick Swayze makes fun of his iconic status in an indirect way. The actor is excellent as the jerk and it has been ages since he has been in something worthwhile. Liz Smith is fun to watch as the annoying and nosy flower committee member. Emilia Fox is very good as the nonchalant killer and Maggie Smith is hilarious! This lady has never let down and she is a complete delight to watch as she goes on 'protecting' her family. 'Love the actress! The location shots are amazing. The fictitious town looks lovely yet the director manages to successfully bring out the coldness and boredom. The stunning cinematography deserves mention too. 'Keeping Mom' is a small but wonderfully innovative film that had me laughing all the way.