2005 british black comedy remain silentOriginally called “Trunk”, it may have been named “A Chip Off the Old Block”. I decided to rewatch this film in memory of Dame Maggie Smith, who passed away on September 27th.
For this brief labor of love, I deviated from my regular template.
Please read on.
Cast
Dame Maggie Smith – Grace Hawkins
Rowan Atkinson as Pastor Walter Goodfellow
Christine Scott Thomas – Walt’s wife Gloria.
Patrick Swayze plays Lance.
Tamsin Egerton plays Holly Goodfellow.
Toby Parks plays Petey Goodfellow.
Liz Smith is the busybody of Mrs. Parker’s floral committee.
Emilia Fox stars as Rosie “Grace” Jones. (Emilia is from Fox’s acting dynasty.)
James Booth plays Mr. Brown. The neighbor has a noisy dog. *Mr. Booth died four months before the film’s premiere. This was his last film. Booth is best known to audiences around the world as Pvt. Hooker in Zulu (1964).*
story
Pregnant Rosie Jones murdered her husband and his mistress. She was put in a prison for mentally ill criminals. Years later, she was released. Rosie, now named Gracie, went to visit her daughter. holly.
Once Gracie arrives there with her daughter, she discovers that the family structure is crumbling. Her offspring cheated on her pastor husband. Her granddaughter Holly is sleeping with the most unsuitable man ever, while Petey is being severely bullied by her classmates.
Gracie helped with these disastrous lawsuits.
By the end of the movie, we wonder which member of the Jones family is part of the old neighborhood. Gloria or Holly?
behind the scenes
Director Neil Johnson co-wrote the film. He collaborated with Richard Russo. This dark comedy film is pure gold from the first frame.
cornwall is remain silent. *My favorite place in the world. remain silent An England that no longer really exists.
If only it existed outside of movie theaters.
Not quite like Ealing in texture or feel, but definitely not too far off. For example, it’s more like Agatha Christie’s giggle than middle-aged murder Set against the backdrop of black comedy.
*This movie made me appreciate Dame Maggie Smith’s comedic talents. It also gave me the pleasure of falling in love with Christine Scott Thomas all over again. That’s where the camera’s love for the actor ends.
it works
Maggie Smith as Gracie is a joy. The ever-smiling, ever-cheerful housekeeper, “Would you like a cup of tea?” is perfectly capable of killing her fellow humans without qualms. Patrick Swayze as Lance is another treat. With all her teeth covered, fake tan and barely concealed sexuality, Swayze kills it. He’s a pathetic, lecherous professional golfer. He cuckolded Walter with as much glee as he had with Holly.
Rowan Atkinson plays against type brilliantly here. Egerton, I first saw him in the 2007 tribute movie saint trinian First, her portrayal of a teenage nympho is breathtaking.
Everyone here gave their all. Emilia Fox plays the obnoxious playgirl to Liz Smith in what could be considered a complicated cameo. They all felt like they were part of the movie. Every actor is a joy to watch. The script gives us layered characters and we can appreciate the effort here.
The story is delightful. Smith plays Gracie, a crazy and murderous star who kills to protect her family.
but.
The writing turned it into a masterpiece and Maggie Smith added so much to this group by sitting at the top remain silent and its story.
Judgment
This is a complete 5 star effort. *I would happily give it a star rating over the 5 star limit. For those who like to watch, the video’s explanation is very exciting and worth “watching”.
Rest in peace Mrs. Maggie Smith. You are one of a kind and I will miss you too. This throwback review may soon be joined by another: The Secret Garden (1993), in which her character is the polar opposite of Gracie.
trailer
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