Do you love true crime but can’t stand to see another murderer or violent criminal? Get your dose without the rough edges in this enjoyable British comedy. Wicked Little LettersNow available on Netflix. As the saying goes, sticks and stones can break bones, but words? Well, maybe they can hurt people (but not physically).
Wicked Fine PrintsSTREAM IT OR SKIP IT?
The essence: In the small British town of Littlehampton, conservative and cloistered Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) offers an act of Christian charity by taking in a new resident who emigrated from Ireland, the spunky and vivacious Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley). The two get along like oil and water as housemates, unfortunately. Simmering resentment turns to outright animosity when Rose lashes out at a guest of Edith’s father, Edward (Timothy Spall), at his birthday party. Since their feud is public knowledge among the townspeople, there is an immediate suspect – or perhaps, a suspect. scapegoat — when Edith begins to receive a series of letters filled with hate and blasphemy.
But the story begins when Rose is imprisoned for the letter-writing campaign, not ends. There wouldn’t be much to be done if the obvious culprit committed the crime after all, and she vowed to clear his name despite protests from the local law enforcement community. With some key allies, most notably Constable Gladys Moss (Anjana Moss), a real investigation based on evidence rather than hearsay is set in motion to find the real culprit.
What movies will it remind you of? Think The Banshees of InisherinThe enemy-friend story of ‘s filtered through the disposition and sensibilities of The great British baking extravaganza.
Performance worth watching: Few joys compare to watching Jessie Buckley sink her teeth into a role. She brings all her energy and rambunctious spirit to the role of Rose, and her streak of Irish irascibility makes it a fiery pleasure to watch the character rage in her English surroundings.
Memorable dialogue: “I’ve read everything in the papers,” Kate tells Edith, played by Lolly Adefope, “Congratulations on your tragedy.” It’s characteristic of the pithy remarks that define the film’s refined sense of humor, even when discussing
Sex and skin: There are many vulgar obscenities in the letter that refer to sex, but there is no actual sex in it. Wicked Little LettersThere is a brief moment where Rose shows her butt to the police, but it is not at all in a sexual context.
Our opinion: No movie that brings together Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley can be completely bad. But it should be better than Wicked Little Letters Thea Sharrock’s film always seems too polite and gentle to make a real impact, beating around the bush so as not to upset any viewers. Her main concern seems to be making sure that no one is upset by the film even though the real story touches on some uncomfortable topics, be it personal disputes or cultural taboos. Wicked Little Letters It touches on some of the seismic events that shook her provincial existence, from the Great War to the women’s suffrage movement, which are never explored beyond throwaway lines of dialogue.
Our calling: SKIP IT. Wicked Little Letters It’s not without its moments of pleasure and levity, but it never quite delivers on the promise of pitting Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley against each other, a tantalizing prospect after they played the same character in The Lost Daughter with an Oscar nomination effect. The film is too good for its own good. If only these girls from the 1920s could resolve their dispute like the women of the 2020s and Solve it in the remix.
Marshall Shaffer is a freelance film journalist based in New York City. In addition to Jugo Mobile, his work has also appeared in Slashfilm, Slant, The Playlist, and many other outlets. Someday soon, everyone will realize how right he is when it comes to talking about Spring breakers.
Look Wicked Little Letters on Netflix
