What Rats Won't Do

Why, oh why, isn't this movie on DVD??

I found this movie by accident on TV and it is one of my favorite romantic comedies, and one I can recommend to my rom-com-loving friends. For someone who loves London, the locations used in shooting are a delight. (The scenes shot there were a reason I visited the Middle Temple on my last trip....it is a thoroughly delightful part of London.)) I think this movie is really well done.....I highly enjoy the scene outside the Temple Church, with two background scenes silently going on, one on each side of a pillar behind the two protagonists. This is a wry, witty, entertaining movie.

I've never managed to catch this move - I see that in the UK it on;y had a TV release.

However I was an extra on the jury in some of the interior court scenes. They were filmed at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court and I recall tour-de-force cameos from Freddie Jones, Samantha Bond and Charles Dance.

Not having seen it, I've no idea if there were other courts used, or whether the interior and exterior court scenes were edited as if in the same place.

I do remember it was the day of Princess Di's funeral and North London was remarkably quiet and empty.

If anyone has an off-air copy, I'd love to see it!

Leon

I had never heard of this film until I heard that it was showing on TV. The plot interested me and I decided to give it a try. It was FABULOUS ! I love romantic comedies and this was going to be my cup of tea. Fans of movies likes Notting Hill,Sliding Doors,Bridget Jones diary.etc will truly love this. Im a bit surprised that the movie didnt get as popular as it should be. I would seriously recommend it , so what r u waiting for !

A clever little comedy with enough romance to sweeten it without descending into the realms of the sickeningly saccharine. James Frain and Natascha McElhone shine as the two leads - Frain is witty and charismatic while McElhone makes her character endearing and wonderful to watch. This talented duo manage to hold their own even against a dazzling supporting cast which does not have a single weak link. The script is well written, impeccably acted, and British humour at its best, yet it doesn't exclude anyone from outside our little island from the jokes. There is only one thing wrong with this film, and it is not the fault of the director, writer, or cast - that it has been seen by so few people! I only got the chance to see it when, in a fit of insomnia, I stayed awake all night watching film channels and stumbled across it at about 3am. I am dying to buy a copy of it yet, despite thorough searching on the net, I can't find one anywhere. (If anybody ever happens to read this - I know the odds are against me - and happens to know where I might get one from, please write to me and tell me). It is a brilliant little Britflick that deserves more recognition, and an example of what our film industry is capable of.

And it is really made good by the actors and the chemistry they have. Even after the movie (or the plot rather) is over and there is some exchange you can feel it ... well done, which I reckon is also at least a bit of a testament to the script and director.

It begins kind of vague and flawed in a sense, but once the characters get up and running, there is a funny little flow about it. The cast is well assembled (with some known faces, if you are an avid movie fan) and the story is well told ... if your heart is in the right place and you like teasing a bit ... well a lot sometimes ;)