Actor Stephen Fry, who has appeared in British TV’s JEEVES AND WOOSTER and the BLACKADDER series as well as film like A FISH CALLED WANDA and GOSFORD PARK, makes his directing debut with this satire of the idle rich during the early 1930s.
Based on Evelyn Waugh’s novel VILE BODIES, the story centers on young writer Adam Fenwick-Symes (Stephen Campbell Moore), who starts off his literary career by having his novel confiscated at customs. He is engaged to Nina Blount (Emily Mortimer, LOVELY & AMAZING), who parties day and night. Adam does not want to marry her until he has enough money. Surrounded by friends – gossip writer Simon Balcairn (James McAvoy, WIMBLEDON), cheeky homosexual Miles (Michael Sheen, UNDERWORLD) and ditzy Agatha (Fenella Woolgar, VERA DRAKE) – Adam stumbles into money and out.
The carefree attitude of the film reminded me of screwball comedies. However, the film does have a serious side as well, dealing with the country’s extensive fascination with the idle rich that rivals what we see of Paris Hilton nowadays and the hidden sadness that many of them are covering up with booze and cocaine.
Besides the young stars, the film is filled with great supporting work from Dan Aykroyd (HOUSE OF MIRTH) as Adam’s publisher Lord Monomark, Jim Broadbent (IRIS) as the drunk Major, Simon Callow (FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL) as the hapless King of Anatolia, Stockard Channing (THE BUSINESS OF STRANGERS) as ultra religious Mrs. Melrose Ape and Peter O’Toole (THE LION IN WINTER) as Nina’s eccentric father.
The humor is dry and bawdy like you’d want from a British comedy. I really enjoyed this romp and laughed out loud more often throughout this film then I have in quite some time.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
