The Trouble with Jessica

The trouble with "The Trouble With Jessica", despite it being a neatly cast dark Brit dramedy, is co-writers Matt Winn (who also directed) & James Handel's inconsistent tone that lapses in style from serious wordy play (albeit one with the characters taking ridiculously implausible actions) to bursts of "A Weekend At Bernies" crass slapstick. Middle-class Londoners Alan Tudyk & Shirley Henderson host friends Rufus Sewell & Olivia Williams for dinner, which free-spirited pal Indira Varma effectively crashes... sparking the evening to wildly spiral. Sewell & Henderson particularly are great, but their film does not know what it is to be... and THAT is the trouble.

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.

The cast were fabulous, I found Rufus Sewell particularly funny and although moments of the story seemed bonkers, it somehow became plausible. I laughed throughout and enjoyed the nuance of dialogue between friends and partners. I enjoyed the unraveling of what starts out as a perfectly normal setting into unexpected chaos, disappointment, jealously, entitlement and self satisfaction, always fabulous themes of the human condition to which this film delivers. Each scene is crafted in a such a way that I became the voyeur, relishing the discomfort of the characters, and pending predicament! Wondering if judgement would prevail. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and highly recommend.

I am not sure this works as well or funny as I intended this to be or it sounded in my head. That said, I am going to stick with it and tell anyone who wants to hear it: no pun intended. When I started watching this, I did think this was another remake of the perfect dinner (or whatever the movie is called - quite a few countries have remade the premise) ... but it turns out that this is a different beast.

Still a lot of people sitting around the table and talking ... but the inciting incident is quite ... well it won't let you just hang in there, that is for sure (sorry, but I had to) ... this will either get you! The tension, the script and the actors ... all together are able to do a great movie. Yes some character decisions are weak ... but hey a bit of suspension of disbelief never hurt nobody (yes I know what I did - I can has some fun too from time to time - yes?) ... this was way better than I thought, especially because of some of the twists ... and the script/acting, well you know the drill (sort of)

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.