Judy & Punch

It is quite a gruesome story. It is a tough watch, so be psychologically prepared for disturbing content before you watch it.

'Judy & Punch (2019)' is a reimagining of the long-standing, problematic 'Punch and Judy' puppet show, ostensibly from Judy's perspective. The concept is, I suppose, rather interesting; it's a feminine (no rape) revenge movie with the possibility of pointing out its source-material's numerous narrative flaws. Sadly, the piece never quite seems sure what it wants to be, delivering on the set-up but struggling through the pay-off. Its tone fluctuates wildly; it's unsure if it wants to be humorous or horrific. It's quirky, for sure. One of the main problems is just how much time we spend with Punch. The flick clearly wants to be Judy's story, empowering and unconventional; it ends up relegating her to the sidelines for quite a while, though. It doesn't live up to its potential, especially in this regard. Basically, the thing just never clicks. It feels rather awkward, in a way, and it's somewhat lacking in confidence. It isn't all that engaging, really. It also isn't particularly affecting and, frankly, it ought to be. Still, it isn't without its merits. Its conceit is, as I mentioned, intriguing and its message is solid. It's also reasonably entertaining, never even threatening to become dull. It's generally well-made and makes some distinct decisions, standing out from its peers in several aspects. It's a decent film, don't get me wrong; it's just not a great one. It doesn't quite connect the way it should and, ultimately, that's what lets it down. It still beats the puppets, though. 6/10

A black reimagining of the classic seaside children's puppet show, Judy And Punch is as deliciously dark as you can imagine, featuring an immensely enjoyable mix of hilarious black comedy and intriguing, unsettling drama throughout. Couple that with a really striking period setting that both looks pretty and plays a unique role in the story, as well as two great lead performances, and you've got a brilliantly unorthodox hit, and one of the most unashamedly entertaining dark comedies you've seen in quite a long while.

Of course, dark reimaginings of classic fairytales, children stories and such have been in fashion for a good few years now, but they almost always seem to be hijacked by dull, grim blockbuster ideas. Take a film like Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters as an example, which has a brilliantly weird premise, and seems to open up all the opportunities for a hilarious and exciting dark comedy, but is suffocated under the spectre of predictable, dumb and excessively action-oriented filmmaking.

Judy And Punch, on the other hand, is a far more measured and intelligent approach to a dark reimagining of the classic puppet show. Not only impressing throughout with its genuinely hilarious humour, the film is a thoroughly engrossing watch thanks to its intelligent and unique ideas surrounding not only the origins of the eponymous puppet show, but also the medieval world of witch hunts.

It's an unorthodox but genuinely entertaining combination that works really well right the way through, only helped more by the film's capacity for humour and to take what at times does feel like a rather dark and even unsettling tale a little lighter than you may expect, and seems to be the case in so many other films of the same ilk.

As a result, there's complex and intriguing ideas at play that go far beyond what at times eventually boils down to a rather simple revenge story, and it really makes a vibrant world out of the setting created for the origins of Punch & Judy, furthered yet more by the excellent costume and production design and cinematography that make such a vivid portrayal out of this isolated medieval town, all brought together in brilliant style by director Mirrah Foulkes.

And finally, on top of all of that, you've got a pair of great lead performances from Mia Wasikowska and Damon Herriman as Judy and Punch themselves. Finding a fantastic balance between pure, crazed comedy and heavy, dark drama (something that is absolutely no mean feat), the pair are great to watch from beginning to end, and although they find their characters dealing with very different obstacles throughout, they're an excellent double act that play off one another with just as much humour and domestic unhappiness as the famous puppets themselves.

Overall, then, I had a great time with Judy And Punch. An unexpected surprise that takes an unorthodox angle on a well-known property, the film is full of both fantastically funny humour and exciting dark drama, brought together brilliantly by director Mirrah Foulkes with interesting and intelligent ideas that bring its story and setting to life in vibrant fashion.

Not knowing what to expect I was absorbed right from the start. I was taken into a type of fantasy world; the colours, the people, the theatre, the atmosphere, its offbeatness. So well written, directed and acted. I found much in it an allegory with our modern world. Congratulations and highly recommended.

The movie has a vaguely historical setting, but no historical accuracy.

Some aspects seem like fantasy, but are then rooted in real history and geography.

The violence is played for laughs, but is the also meant to be poignant.

Either go full Punch and Judy, like a fantastical Falling Down, or make a gritty piece about the realities of a harsh life in the Early Modern period, but don't vacillate between the two. As released this film doesn't work as either of those things.