Australian director Stephan Elliott, maker of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (which opens in a musical stage version in London’s West End this month), has come up with a sparkling adaptation of Noël Coward’s 1920s social comedy about the culture clash that ensues after the young son (Prince Caspian’s Ben Barnes) from a cash-strapped English landed family impulsively marries an American divorcée with a past (the gorgeous – and suprisingly good – Jessica Biel). Elliott keeps the period setting but gives a deft modern touch to the proceedings, mixing the songs of Coward and Porter with Prince on the soundtrack. There are splendid performances, too, from Colin Firth and Kristin Scott Thomas, plus a deliciously droll, scene-stealing turn from Kris Marshall as the family’s louche butler. (Released 16th March)
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I found this film rather disappointing and not very entertaining (apart from the bit where Jessica Biel sits on that stupid dog). What I disliked the most though was the mish-mash music – sacreligious!