Summary
Ruby has been kidnapped, but her kidnapper doesn't want a ransom. He wants her to fall in love with him.
Ruby has been kidnapped, but her kidnapper doesn't want a ransom. He wants her to fall in love with him.
Evoking the spirit of the Wodehousian country sojourn, this undistinguished adaptation of Stephen Fry's bestseller starts promisingly, but quickly becomes bogged down in the Norfolk mud. Screenwriters Tom Hodgson and Blanche McIntyre dispense with the source's epistolary structure, as bibulous poet-turned-critic Roger Allam heads to Swafford Hall to investigate a claim that his 16-year-old godson, Tommy Knight, has cured his cousin (Emily Berrington) of leukaemia. Fortunately, much of the emphasis falls on the excellent Allam, who handles acidulous witticisms and aqueous pratfalls with equal aplomb. But the supporting cast struggles to make an impact, as flamboyant theatre director Tim McInnerny, French socialite Lyne Renee and her daughter Emma Curtis enjoy the hospitality of Knight's parents, Matthew Modine and Fiona Shaw, in the hope of being healed. Alternately bawdy and bestial, the humour is surprisingly blunt, as is John Jencks's direction. But though the plot's tragicomic contrivances eventually get the better of him, Allam puts up a damn good fight.
role | name |
---|---|
Ted Wallace | Roger Allam |
Michael Logan | Matthew Modine |
Anne Logan | Fiona Shaw |
Jane Swann | Emily Berrington |
Rebecca Logan | Geraldine Somerville |
Oliver Wells | Tim McInnerny |
Valerie Richmonde | Lyne Renee |
Podmore | John Standing |
David Logan | Tommy Knight |
role | name |
---|---|
Director | John Jencks |