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Powerful

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

The film opens with a flashback of 30-odd years in which a likable young woman, travelling on a train, is found to have a dead body in her travelling trunk, and it appears that she is the author of the deceased's demise. Moving to the present day, we meet Gloria, wife to rather dozy vicar Walter and mum to sensitive Petey and mildly slutty Holly. All three are something of a trial, and her general lack of satisfaction at life isn't helped by next door's yapping dog, problems with the pond, annoying parishioner Mrs Parker, randy golf pro Lance, etc. Into her life comes Grace Hawkins as a live-in help, and suddenly - almost miraculously - all the problems begin to disappear.You don't have to be a genius to work out what's afoot, but the joy of this film is in how it delivers what you expect in such unexpected ways, not to mention the lovely performances from all concerned.The location work in Cornwall and on the Isle of Man is very attractive.Yes, this is a black comedy, but it is also genuinely funny, and quite heartwarming.

Rowan Atkinson is a vicar who's lost his motivation and become stuck in the rut of endless meetings. A charming, bumbling, wet blanket, which he plays in the same way he does many of his previous acting roles. Kristin Scott Thomas is his long suffering wife, who feels she's lacking any spice in her life. The parents are so focused on their own lives that they can't see what is happening with their children. Tamsin Egerton is the wayward daughter, who sleeps around, much to the irritation of her parents, who seem unable to reign her in. Toby Parkes plays the young son, finding it hard to fit in at school. And into their lives comes a mysterious Maggie Smith, who, while charming and motherly on the surface, hides a darker side that could have big implications on the family. This is a beautifully written and executed black comedy - reminiscent of the Ealing Studios comedies such as the Lady Killers - with the family at the centre of the story having plenty of aspects to empathise with. It's produced in part by the Isle of Man Film Commission, and if you know the island, then the landscape really jumps out; the sons school is Sulby, they have tea at Cregneash (over looking the Calf of Man), there's a shot with the Castle of Refuge at Douglas in the background, and even shots from inside the Gaiety Theatre, yet it could be based in any small village environment, with its quirky characters and small scale problems that shouldn't require such...final solutions.

Although farce is a universal comedic language, it's fair to say that nobody does farce as well as the English. From Oscar Wilde to Richard Curtis, the English sense of humour is strongly based in misunderstanding, misdirection and classic class stereotypes and this movie is a revival of such long-standing traditions. It might not be a riotous laugh but like "Calendar Girls", this is a gentle and almost relaxing comedic plod through the English countryside and offers a modern and black interpretation of "Mary Poppins" that Disney would certainly not approve of! In the sleepy village of Little Wallop, Reverend Walter Goodfellow (Rowan Atkinson) is struggling with his parishioners as well as trying to write the opening speech for a forthcoming conference. But away from the pulpit, things are even worse for his family - not that Walter is noticing. His wife Gloria (Kristin Scott-Thomas) is considering an affair with slimy golf instructor Lance (Patrick Swayze), his daughter Holly (Tamsin Egerton) has a succession of unsuitable boyfriends and his son Petey (Toby Parkes) is being bullied at school. Enter their new housekeeper Grace (Maggie Smith) who slowly begins to work her magic on the family. But Grace has plenty of dark secrets of her own and soon, her unusual methods of keeping the peace create more problems for Gloria than they actually solve...There aren't many actors who are happy to play up to their usual characters but the cast of "Keeping Mum" all do a fantastic job, adding a worrying authenticity to proceedings but the star of the show is Smith who is simply wonderful as the naughty nanny with a mysterious trunk "full of memories". Swayze also does very well as the lecherous lover of Gloria, reminding you of what a fine actor he actually was. The story might not be the most disguised and you can't help but wonder how the truth was concealed to the characters for as long as it was. But it's a delightful pastiche of those English clichés of sleepy villages, nosey busy-bodies and murderous citizens reacting to the slightest provocation. It's like an extended episode of "Midsomer Murders" but with slightly more swearing and nudity - in fact, it sorta makes me feel that it's been produced more for a foreign market as opposed to a British one but it's not that's not a reason for me to dislike a film that generally is amusing, interesting and offers an antidote to overly sugary "nanny" films like "Mary Poppins" or "Nanny McPhee"."Keeping Mum" might not be everyone's cup of tea but it is a recommended comedy crime thriller that reminds us to be careful of exactly what we wish for. As a bonus, it is also beautifully shot - I cannot recall a film that showed how truly amazing the British countryside can look, a real picture-postcard filled with rolling hills, sweeping coastlines and cottages with smoke-billowing chimneys and stone walls. "Keeping Mum" does for England what "Lost In Translation" did for Japan or "Y Tu Mama Tambien" did for Mexico. In addition to its stunning cinematography, it's a funny yet grisly film that will amuse most people although anyone expecting gut-busting belly laughs might want to look elsewhere. Still, this is much funnier that a lot of comedies out there so give it a try and wallow in some good, old-fashioned farce.

It's hard to find a bad British comedy film; somehow their blood is flowing with the necessary ingenuity to generate laughter. It was my second time watching the black comedy film Keeping Mum, yet I enjoyed it both times. It starts off with the condemnation of a pretty, young lady who murdered and dismembered her husband and his partner, already venturing into the realm of morbid humour. Fast forward forty-plus years and we find ourselves in a small village called Little Wallop, a mere population of 57. We are introduced to a family that is on the brink of falling apart: rebellious teen daughter, bullied son, uptight and unsatisfied mother, unknowing and boring father (who also happens to be the town's vicar). And who else magically appears as their new granny but the lady (now old, but still just as jolly), fresh out of her confinement? Soon things begin looking brighter, and the entire family can't help but wonder if the new granny called Grace was God-sent.The strength of the film is carried by the strong performances. The reason why I bothered to watch this in the first place was because of Rowan Atkinson – he is, without a doubt, the funniest man alive and I have so much respect for him. He once again wonderfully executes his role as a blustering, dim-witted vicar; he is pure comic. Alongside him, Kirstin Scott Thomas is just as brilliant as his wife who desperately searches for satisfaction from another man (an American with the accent and hot bod). Yet, it is Maggie Smith, one of the English actress greats, who gives a cunning and refreshing portrayal of caring, lovable granny-slash-murderer. You know you're in for a treat when you have Rowan Atkinson's libido activated upon the reading of Song of Solomon or when Maggie Smith smiles wickedly with a butcher knife in hand.Is this the best British comedy around? Far from it, but those looking for a fun and lighthearted black comedy (yes, I'm aware of the contradiction there; but then again, our generation is capable of making light of serious situations, is it not?) might find this film a delightful romp.