A Feast at Midnight

I saw this movie on a rainy afternoon when I was sick. Such a delight! Christopher Lee has top billing here, but the boys, particularly the Freddie Findlay as Magnus, make the movie. A secret society is started at an English boy's boarding school, but instead of making mischief, they make delicious delicacies! Not exactly a kid's movie, what with the not so subtle sexual tension between Raptor (Christopher Lee) and Mrs. Plunder (Carol MacReady). But it's a fun, if slightly naughty film. Samuel West is a standout as Chef, the taste challenged antagonist of the film. He steals any scene he's in. If you happen upon this title, enjoy being a member of "The Scoffers" if just for a little while!

This movie is absolutely delicious, as light as one of Magnus' (the main character's) own confections. Nevertheless it has held my interest through many viewings and even brought me to tears near the end, every single time.

Not only is the acting of brilliant veterans Robert Hardy, Christopher Lee, Carol MacReady, and Edward Fox as perfect as you would expect, but the children put in brilliant, subtle performances as well, with Freddie Findlay showing true star promise. The lush Dover location and surprisingly poignant music also add dimensions of richness to a very simple, honest story.

The focal characters are realistically bad and good boys -- realistic because often the same boys are both bad and good under believable circumstances -- who learn about the real meaning of friendship, teamwork, and even honor through, well, cooking. Do have fattening and decadent snacks on hand when you watch, because what the boys whip up will certainly make you hungry.

Incidentally, this film also managed to charm my boyfriend and to hold his interest throughout, and since this is such a tiny little dessert of a film, and since said boyfriend generally goes for the gamut of action flicks from Jackie Chan to Akira Kurosawa, or 2-hour Chow Yun-Fat/John Woo bloodbaths, this is really saying something. Because of the way the film gets right into the world of children, while not abandoning entirely the world and motivations of adults, I would also certainly recommend it for children age 8 or 10 and up; but there are still enough jokes and subtleties for grown-ups only that it won't bore parents.

Delightful comedic film about a bunch of playful boarding school boys who form a secret society based on . The film serves as a happy reminder of all those fulfilled adventures we all had as unexperienced children exploring the world. This film is entertaiment for adults and kids alike. Pwang!!!

"A Feast at Midnight" is a family feast at any time. The story centers around Goff, a young boy sent to boarding school in England, whose favorite illegal pastime is cooking. Letters from his father offer paternal wisdom, recipes from L'Escoffier and encouragement for his deliciously naughty behaviour.

Goff (Aled Roberts) develops a small band of friends who sneak into the "No Boys Allowed" kitchen late at night, cooking up sophisticated desserts. Will they get caught by Chef, who is clearly frustrated by the Headmaster's desire to feed the school a healthy, low-fat and basically tasteless diet? Or will they get caught by the Major, a stern taskmaster whose daughter, Miss Charlotte (Lisa Faulkner) is employed in many servile capacities at the school?

The very scary Major is drolly portrayed by Christopher Lee, whose deep set eyes and basso profundo is know to viewers in an assortment of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes movies.(He also narrated "The Rocky Horror Picture Show.)Lee is the uncle of Harriet Walker, who coincidentally appeared with Headmaster Robert Hardy in "Sense and Sensibility". (Fanny Dashwood, Sir John Middleton.)

Goff's friendship with Miss Charlotte changes the nature of her relationship to the school and her father, and gives her the courage to declare her own independence.

The anal retentive Chef is superbly portrayed by Samuel West, who moviegoers will recognize as Julia Robert's co-star in "Notting Hill".

Director Justin Hardy and Cinematographer Tim Maurice-Jones use a wide-angle lens to emphasize Goff's sense of aloneness and feelings of being overwhelmed.There are a number of humorous visual and plot puns that film buffs will recognize, such as a play on "Oliver" in a dining hall scene.

Goff's relationship with his father, and his unique method of rebellion make this a film that stands out as an alternative to the usual violent fare aimed at children, yet it is sophisticated enough to be enjoyed by all.

I went to this kind of school and only wish we had had the opportunity to have this much fun. Of course the head was very strict in the movie as he was in my school and we would not have dared to break rules in that way. The sensual part was deftly handled and gave no cause for concern. This was in every way a family movie.

I enjoyed it immensely because I guess I am still a kid at heart and I love to cook. What a great relationship this kid had with his Dad and with the other boys in the school. Edward Fox was very believable as the English gentleman gourmet father of our hero, Magnus.

Kudos to the writer, the director and the boys who did all that fine acting especially Freddy Findlay. Definitely a film that can be watched more than once.