"A Private Function" is a dark comedy set in a small town in 1947 England. It has several interwoven plots. They are related to the overall theme of the post-war rationing of bacon and other meat that was in effect in the UK. (Meat rationing in the UK would not end until 1954). The British were excited about the forthcoming wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Prince Phillip on Nov 20.
The main plot is about a community caper. Some men of this small town had planned a private celebration dinner for the occasion. But, for the meal, they had acquired a pig many months prior on the black market. One of them was a local farmer who raised the pig in an enclosure hidden in the woods. They all saved their table scraps for trips out to the woods to feed the pig. They have to stay one step ahead of an overly zealous meat inspector who is shutting down butchers who have been dealing meat in the black market.
Then, weaving in and out of this scenario is a couple who are fairly new to the town. He is a chiropodist, who works mainly on women's feet; and she is a piano teacher. But they are not yet members of the upper society, and she pines for such status. They have not been invited to the upcoming function.
When he discovers the hidden pig, she prods him to steal it, which he does. Over the next day or so, things get quite hectic and smelly in their home with the pig on the loose in the house. Other shenanigans are going on before all of this somewhat works out.
The cast is very good. Maggie Smith, Denholm Elliott and Liz Smith won BAFTA awards for their performances. Michael Palin, Richard Griffiths, Pete Postlethwaite and Tony Haygarth lead the rest of a very good supporting cast.
This is not a film of witty and funny dialog. It is mostly tongue-in-cheek humor or very wry humor. It's has crude and crass segments that, I think, detract from the film. Not everyone will enjoy this type of film, and it isn't a family picture by any means.
Here are the best lines in the film.
Henry Allardyce, "Are we doing wrong, Frank?" Frank Lockwood, "Of course we're doing wrong. It's a crime." Allardyce, "I've never committed a crime before." Lockwood, "Thought you were an accountant."
Joyce Chilvers, " I want a future that will live up too my past. But when's it going to start?"
Joyce Chilvers, "It's not just pork, Gilbert. It's power."
The main plot is about a community caper. Some men of this small town had planned a private celebration dinner for the occasion. But, for the meal, they had acquired a pig many months prior on the black market. One of them was a local farmer who raised the pig in an enclosure hidden in the woods. They all saved their table scraps for trips out to the woods to feed the pig. They have to stay one step ahead of an overly zealous meat inspector who is shutting down butchers who have been dealing meat in the black market.
Then, weaving in and out of this scenario is a couple who are fairly new to the town. He is a chiropodist, who works mainly on women's feet; and she is a piano teacher. But they are not yet members of the upper society, and she pines for such status. They have not been invited to the upcoming function.
When he discovers the hidden pig, she prods him to steal it, which he does. Over the next day or so, things get quite hectic and smelly in their home with the pig on the loose in the house. Other shenanigans are going on before all of this somewhat works out.
The cast is very good. Maggie Smith, Denholm Elliott and Liz Smith won BAFTA awards for their performances. Michael Palin, Richard Griffiths, Pete Postlethwaite and Tony Haygarth lead the rest of a very good supporting cast.
This is not a film of witty and funny dialog. It is mostly tongue-in-cheek humor or very wry humor. It's has crude and crass segments that, I think, detract from the film. Not everyone will enjoy this type of film, and it isn't a family picture by any means.
Here are the best lines in the film.
Henry Allardyce, "Are we doing wrong, Frank?" Frank Lockwood, "Of course we're doing wrong. It's a crime." Allardyce, "I've never committed a crime before." Lockwood, "Thought you were an accountant."
Joyce Chilvers, " I want a future that will live up too my past. But when's it going to start?"
Joyce Chilvers, "It's not just pork, Gilbert. It's power."