A Private Function (1984) -
This film was a tad slow to start with and not exactly a laugh a minute, but it was sort of fun. Quite typical of British films of the late 1970's and 1980's.
It was definitely not something I should have chosen to watch while eating my dinner, because there are quite a few gross bits that made me urge.
As was to be expected, both Smith's - Maggie and Liz were excellent in their roles and while none of the other actors were bad, they weren't as obviously outstanding as the two ladies.
The humour was subtle to say the least, but not the riot that I had expected from a cast full of such superb comedians and all round performers.
It would be easy to compare it to one of the more extreme and silly episodes of 'Heartbeat' (1992-2010) or 'All Creatures Great And Small' (1978-90), because it was set in a similar environment, with characters akin to Greengrass and Ventriss. The writing also reminded me of Tom Sharpe's work to some degree, in particular the people who populated his 'Blott On The Landscape' book.
I probably wouldn't rush to watch it again, as it didn't tickle me enough, but I could see how it might appeal to people of an older generation. Those perhaps that were at the mercy of rationing and could relate to the desperate want for a good pork chop.
400.89/1000.
This film was a tad slow to start with and not exactly a laugh a minute, but it was sort of fun. Quite typical of British films of the late 1970's and 1980's.
It was definitely not something I should have chosen to watch while eating my dinner, because there are quite a few gross bits that made me urge.
As was to be expected, both Smith's - Maggie and Liz were excellent in their roles and while none of the other actors were bad, they weren't as obviously outstanding as the two ladies.
The humour was subtle to say the least, but not the riot that I had expected from a cast full of such superb comedians and all round performers.
It would be easy to compare it to one of the more extreme and silly episodes of 'Heartbeat' (1992-2010) or 'All Creatures Great And Small' (1978-90), because it was set in a similar environment, with characters akin to Greengrass and Ventriss. The writing also reminded me of Tom Sharpe's work to some degree, in particular the people who populated his 'Blott On The Landscape' book.
I probably wouldn't rush to watch it again, as it didn't tickle me enough, but I could see how it might appeal to people of an older generation. Those perhaps that were at the mercy of rationing and could relate to the desperate want for a good pork chop.
400.89/1000.