Janice l'intérimaire

Janice lives with her housebound, agoraphobic mother and has done all her life since her father died in childbirth. However in her twenties she decides to go to London to get money to save for treatment for her Mum. However the reality of office life is a lot different and her job is petty and stressful as she helps prepare for a major car launch. However a romance with postman Sean appears promising.

One of many British films that simply go right under the cinema radar. This may have failed because it is similar in basic style to Bridget Jones and other comedies without being as well cast or as well hyped. Also it's not quite as funny as those that have hit big. The plot is a little wacky for the first half as it is Ally McBeal-like in it's wit and content. It's funny in little things like Janice making up stories etc. The actual plot is industrial espionage and is daft but doesn't really spoil a light funny film.

It may not all be that good but mostly it's lightly enjoyable – not trying too hard but just ticking over. Walsh is very good as Beard and Kensit is very sexy and very good as Julia, at least until her walls come, unconvincingly, crumbling down. Ifans is on auto-pilot but has fun and the rest of the office cast are well used and spot on for the most part.

Overall this isn't superb but it is lightly amusing in it's own way. No-one should hold out hope for the pot being amazing but it is enjoyable. Worth watching once.

Having just watched this film for the first time on Channel 4, I was compelled to leave some feedback for others to read...

Rhys Ifans...This guy is quickly becoming the Welsh Tom Hanks. He's been in more crumby movies than he should have, but every time he gives a first rate performance (excluding his OTT drug dealing character in, '51st State'). His doesn't let down here. A sterling performance coupled with an excellent London-ish accent. Good job.

Eileen Walsh (I) doesn't really have the strong presence needed to carry off her leading role with vigour. But she does have a certain endearing charm that one can't help but get attached to whilst she navigates her journey. Pretty good.

For some reason, this movie goes from well shot cinematic sequences, to borderline amateurish looking set pieces and locales. Some scenes are lit poorly (not enough to disgust, but slightly annoy) and the camera seems static at times. Like I said, this won't be noticeable to all. But to someone who's studies the art of film; it's a slight let down. From hero to zero in a few frames...a bummer but not the end of the world.

The actual story isn't particular strong, or witty. However, a bucket load of decent English actors carry the film through to its very quick conclusion (only 81 minutes long!?!)...Others performances are solid and keep the ship afloat.

Overall, I was just impressed Channel 4 had given a low budget English movie some coverage. Films like this usually get made and then disappear with out a trace. We Should thank Channel 4 (or Ifans latest role in, 'Once Upon A Time In The Midlands') for tonight's showing.which on reflection, was well worth the effort.

Laterz all.

This movie was recommended so heatedly to me that I was fairly forced to see it. Not knowing what to expect, I was charmed and dazzled by the script, the acting, and the goofy decor and colours. For any 'girl' who's ever worked in a brainless office job this will be a delight.

The lead actor is perfectly cast as the unsquashably optimistic Janice, totally sincere even while she's lying through her teeth, overwhelmed by the demands placed on her, outclassed by the other office girls, and at the same time unwavering in her mission to save her mum in whatever way she can.

It also works because of the pacing; the story begins at a steady pace and gradually accelerates until it is literally speeding along -- our heroine works for an auto manufacturing firm -- too fast to stop. There are enough plot twists and complications to qualify "Janice Beard 45 WPM" for a French farce except, that it's in Scottish (I think).

It's not Proust and it's not "Brideshead Revisited"; it's just one of the best comedies I've seen and I've been wanting to see it again since I first saw it in 1999.

I saw this film at the cinema and loved its quirkiness. I just had to buy it on DVD. It is not the best film ever made, but it always brings a smile to my face. The casting is superb and it has been good to see some of the actors moving on to bigger and better things. That said, if you ever have to entertain a group of different ages and tastes, this film may well be a good choice - it is unlikely to offend, with only the occasional profanity. The story : Janice Beard just cannot help lying to her Mother (an agoraphobic) about her life, but her lies spread into all aspects of her life. When she is lucky enough to land a temp-to-permanent post in the secretarial pool of a car company, little does she know what disasters and glories her falsities will lead her too - especially when she is chosen as the patsy for some big-league industrial espionage. Brilliant performances make this one of the better lower budget British films made in the late 1990s! Watch it and enjoy.

I was lucky enough to see the première at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Slightly reminiscent of Bridget Jones Diary in its wackiness, it was nothing profound or especially clever, but I couldn't help but have a good laugh.

Patsy Kensit's character should have stayed bitchy. Having her come around was just plain annoying.