Dîner à l'anglaise

Put wealthy, middle aged friends with a past, plus a current financial problem, in a dinner party in Hampstead one evening and bring an unexpected guest who causes havoc. This film is funny, keeps you on the edge of your seat to see what happens next and the performances from seven of the key cast are wonderful - including Shirley Henderson, Rufus Sewell. Olivia Williams, Alan Tudyk (though he looks a bit orange throughout), Indira Varma, Anne Reid and Groth, the house buyer. The two policemen are fun too in almost Dogberry and Verges roles.

However, it feels a little like it should be (or was originally) a play. The action happens almost entirely in one (very large) kitchen and the ground floor of a house filled with fabulous art.

There is quite a lot of swearing but to me it seemed appropriate to our protagonists, given who they are and the situation they find themselves in. No spoilers!

This was a really fun evening's viewing - interesting predicament, some farce, some irony, lots of laughs, some soul searching and great perfomances - and I make a great clafoutis too!

Of course they would never have got away with it - DNA all over everything and wrong ligature - but I don't really care. Suspend disbelief and enjoy.

Saw this at the Curzon in Knutsford and found the first 15 minutes rather dull and pointless. Lots of swearing and flirting at a middle class dinner party in a London suburb. Yawn.

But then BOOM!! Huge twist suddenly comes out of nowhere and the film takes on a completely different feeling.

Now we see the four main characters dealing with a desperate situation that can only be resolved one way. This is when the giggles come thick and first. I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud so often in a cinema. This film really tickled my funny bone. Not just through good old slapstick but by backing each character into a corner to see what lengths they will go to.

Layers are peeled off to reveal the vulnerabilities and hidden truths with an outstanding script. A nosy neighbour and some bumbling cops are also thrown in to further increase the comedic tension.

The only reason I couldn't give it a ten was the odd soundtrack that was a bit distracting and the rather wooden performance of Alan Tudyk.

Other than that, the best comedy I've seen in years.

Greetings again from the darkness. For most of us, the worst thing that happens at a dinner party is the pork loin is a bit dry or the wine selection is a bit lacking. Among the worst occurrences are the friction and hurt feelings caused by a joke-gone-wrong, or God forbid, someone brings up politics. It's just such a dinner party that kicks off this film from writer-director Matt Winn and his co-writer and frequent collaborator, James Handel.

Husband and wife Richard (Rufus Sewell) and Beth (Olivia Williams) arrive at the lovely London home of Sarah (the always fabulous Shirley Henderson) and Tom (Alan Tudyk). Hitching a ride is uninvited mutual 'friend' Jessica (Indira Varma), whose recent book has just hit the bestseller list. Jessica is one who sometimes over-imbibes and is a notorious flirt, rarely taking much precaution in either activity.

Two things happen that drastically impact the evening's proceedings ... and neither has to do with the Clafoutis dish Tom prepared (and takes enormous pride in). The friends are stunned when they learn Sarah and Tom must sell the house quickly or face financial ruin - something unthinkable to those who have lived this life. Secondly, and infinitely more shocking, is the realization that Jessica has committed suicide in the garden. On top of those biggies, secrets are later revealed that feel like a gut punch after the crisis.

With the home sale pending, Tom and Sarah believe a dead body will turn off the buyer, resulting in the bankruptcy they so fear. Their plan is to convince long-time friends Richard and Beth to go along with a scheme that will prevent further disaster. Arguing, debating, and 'what about' discussions, some quite animated, take center stage with the group. The drama is elevated by a nosy neighbor (Anne Reid) and an unexpected visit from the potential buyer (a terrific Sylvester Groth who played Goebbels in INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS, 2009).

Winn cleverly uses chapter subtitles, each beginning with "The Trouble with ...", to reinforce the live theater feel of the story. Some of the chapters work better than others, but it's the veteran and talented cast that diligently pull off the dark humor at a time no one should be laughing. Shirley Henderson especially shines as she spews her lines with that unique and distinctive voice of hers.

The soft jazz score, credited to director Matt Winn and Matt Cooper, provides a nice touch, and mostly we just look at these folks and wonder how far they will go to keep themselves out of trouble. If not for the comedic touches, it would be quite disturbing ... well, even with the comedy, it's quite disturbing. However, a new twist on the dinner table setting is welcome, and despite everything, the film maintains a level of entertainment.

Opens in theaters on April 25, 2025.

I watched this on netflix and really enjoyed it. It felt like a stage play adapted for a tv film. Excellent actors. Fantastic dialogue. I had never heard of Clafoutis!! The plot is full of twists. It has slapstick. I am surprised the movie has not scored higher here on IMDB. I do not want to give away spoilers but I initially just wanted to play 2 minutes before I went to bed so it would appear on my 'still watching' list but I watched the whole thing because it grabbed my attention and I could not break away. I thought I knew what the ending would be but I was wrong. How can Indira Varma still look so sexy? She does not seem to age. Enjoy.

For a film that is more in line with a stage play 'Jessica' manages to keep the action reasonably fast. Having said that, as its rather claustrophobic setting and premise gets deeper into its darker territory it can be felt to drag somewhat - think 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf'. While Virginia had the good sense to keep its heavy dialogue in a measured place 'Jessica' goes all out to be trendy and only wants to appeal to the modern cocktail generation, those who feel it's 'smart' to change the meaning of words in an effort to appear hip. Those who have tailored themselves to fit into these circles won't even notice the wall-to-wall swear fest.

Production values are polished enough, and performances are convincing, but the endless efforts to outswear each other may just leave some of the audience wanting to part with their company. Overall it's a revisitation of several Hitchcock themes involving what to do with the body of a guest who 'departs' during a dinner party involving a small group of old friends. Now sit back and watch the uncomfortable truths that leach out of each other's (secret) toxic personas and pasts.

Strictly for those that can take this type of approach.