Keeping Mum - 13th August 2013

Tuesday Night is Film Night is here again, but tonight we are keeping the title of the film a secret, in fact we're;

Keeping Mum

From 2005, our film this week is a real favourite. Yes, we have seen it before, but it has never graced the hallowed portal that is Tuesday Night is Film Night.

Keeping Mum, follows the Goodfellow family, a family from an idyllic English village, but their family life is far from idyllic. Walter Goodfellow is the village vicar, slightly forgetful, thinks too much about his parish than he does his wife and is seeking the inspiration to write a keynote speech at an upcoming convention. His wife; Gloria is fed up with the parochial life, and is more interested in her golf tutor and his training techniques. And their children; Holly and Petey have their own issues. Holly has a new boyfriend every week and Petey is being bullied at school.

All this changes, when the new Housekeeper; Grace Hawkins arrives. Grace has a murky past, a past that is alluded to in the opening flashback scene of the film. As you will see, Grace was once called Rosie Jones and Rosie Jones killed her husband and his mistress! Roll forward 40 years and Rosie (Grace) is released from her incarceration and is back at large, this time as the Goodfellow's Housekeeper.

Don't panic! It is a comedy. And a great, subtle, ensemble comedy at that.

To put some names to faces, let us spin around the cast. Walter Goodfelow, hapless vicar in the village of Little Wallop is portrayed superbly by Rowan Atkinson. Atkinson has played vicars previously, but in Keeping Mum it's not out and out comedy, it's more subtle laughs, as we see Walter come out of his shell somewhat, with the help of Grace.

Walter's wife; Gloria is played by the beautiful Kristen Scott Thomas. Gloria is a sort of key character in the piece, as she really is the centre of the family. She is a wife, a mother and soon to find out a daughter. to a woman who disappeared 40 years ago. (Are you with us yet?)

The absolutely sublime Maggie Smith plays Grace Hawkins, bringing with her a real understated, but beautifully timed comedy performance. A real asset to the film and truly perfect casting.

Also making up this ensemble of characters, is a wonderful Patrick Swayze, playing the very cheesy golf coach; Lance, whose amorous advances to Gloria are on the verge of splitting up the Goodfellow's family.

All this makes for a beautiful story, a great film and some really funny moments.

Essentially, Grace Hawkins starts to make things better for everyone concerned, but does so in her own inimitable way. Unfortunately this does involve a spade and an iron as murder weapons and the use of the Goodfellow's pond as a suitable hiding place for the bodies!

Again, not wishing to over-egg the pudding with too many spoilers, I cannot say more than that, but it is a fantastic film to watch. We have seen it on many occasions and it is still funny on what is probably the fifth time of asking! It certainly has a longevity about it. It is written extremely well, by Richard Russo, who had the original idea, which was then reworked by Niall Johnson, who also directed the film.

So to the verdict. I'm guessing if tonight's viewing had been the first viewing of this film, then the TNiFN score could have reached a fantastic 10, however, and this is not to discredit or undermine the film at all, we scored it a hearty 9 out of 10. Well worth a watch.