When people in Littlehampton--including conservative local Edith--begin to receive letters full of hilarious profanities, rowdy Irish migrant Rose is charged with the crime. Suspecting that ... Read allWhen people in Littlehampton--including conservative local Edith--begin to receive letters full of hilarious profanities, rowdy Irish migrant Rose is charged with the crime. Suspecting that something is amiss, the town's women investigate.When people in Littlehampton--including conservative local Edith--begin to receive letters full of hilarious profanities, rowdy Irish migrant Rose is charged with the crime. Suspecting that something is amiss, the town's women investigate.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAlthough the actual events occurred in Littlehampton, the filming did not take place there. Instead nearby Arundel and Worthing were used. Arundel was used for town and street events. All the seaside filming was carried out in Worthing.
- GoofsThe sound of the judge banging a gavel is heard several times in the courtroom scenes. In England only auctioneers use gavels; judges have never done so.
- Quotes
[to her daughter, looking at the words Die Slut on her door]
Rose Gooding: It's German.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Project: Episode dated 22 March 2024 (2024)
- SoundtracksCrazy Blues
Written by Perry Bradford
Published by Universal/MCA Music Ltd. on behalf of Universal Music Corp.
Performed by Noble Sissle with Eubie Blake
Courtesy of Document Records
Licence by arrangement with Fine Gold Music
Based on a true story, Thea Sharrock's 'Wicked Little Letters' is a lightweight comic-drama, neither very funny nor dramatic. Screenwriter Jonny Sweet succumbs to the familiar, false thought that coarse language equates to comedic gold. In addition, the narrative is neither particularly mysterious or suspenseful. Moreover, his characterisation is based almost entirely on cliched stereotypes: prim, proper English conservatives, rowdy Irish women and bumbling policemen included. Furthermore, the world of the film is unbelievable, containing not a trace of racism whatsoever, while the sexism exhibited throughout is utilised mainly as a joke.
In many ways, it is an old-fashioned film, trying to say something clever about misogyny, while also playing into misogynistic attitudes. The women- bar officer Moss- are stereotypes dialled up to the max, with little to no depth or nuance, Gooding in particular. Your typical boisterous, hard-drinking, loud Irish lass; the archaic cliches that inform her character are almost insulting. Although there are some funny moments and lines of dialogue, the film is not as entertaining as perhaps it could have been.
Additionally, it is laden with uninspired visuals. Cinematographer Ben Davis shoots proceedings conventionally, without flair or ingenuity. Although the production values are commendable, and Charlotte Walter's costume design appears period accurate, it is a flat looking picture all the same. Furthermore, Isobel Waller-Bridge's generic score lacks suspense or excitement, sounding as dull and as underwhelming as much of Sweet's dialogue.
Casting director Jina Jay has assembled a talented cast of performers, most of whom do commendable work. Jessie Buckley is great as Gooding, overcoming the cliched characterisation of the role. Olivia Colman is typically excellent as the uptight Swan, although neither she nor Buckley are given much of a challenge, acting-wise. Anjana Vasan does the strongest work of all as officer Moss, while Timothy Spall and Joanna Scanlan are similarly excellent as Swan's austere father and a pig farmer, respectively.
Although it is well acted, Thea Sharrock's 'Wicked Little Letters' is not particularly entertaining, clever or original. With an underwhelming narrative, cliched characters, drab visuals and a generic score, it does not impress much. Although Jessie Buckley and Olivia Colman both give strong performances, they aren't in any way challenged, and have been much better in other projects. Despite the fact that Anjana Vasan and Timothy Spall impress greatly, this film is forgettable and not as wickedly enjoyable as it could have been.
- reelreviewsandrecommendations
- Mar 8, 2024
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Pequeñas cartas indiscretas
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $4,567,309
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $76,654
- Mar 31, 2024
- Gross worldwide
- $24,894,165
- Runtime1 hour 40 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1