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Review

A star rating of 2 out of 5.

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.

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Credits

Cast

rolename
Ted WallaceRoger Allam
Michael LoganMatthew Modine
Anne LoganFiona Shaw
Jane SwannEmily Berrington
Rebecca LoganGeraldine Somerville
Oliver WellsTim McInnerny
Valerie RichmondeLyne Renee
PodmoreJohn Standing
David LoganTommy Knight

Crew

rolename
DirectorJohn Jencks

Details

Theatrical distributor
Miracle Comms/Electric Shadow
Released on
2017-05-28
Languages
English
Guidance
Swearing, sex scenes
Available on
DVD and Blu-ray
Formats
Colour
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