Category Archives: British films

Films which could in some way be counted as British.

Brief Encounter (1945)

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2007 #76
David Lean | 83 mins | DVD | PG

Brief EncounterCelia Johnson and Trevor Howard star in the classic romantic drama from highly acclaimed writer Noel Coward and highly acclaimed director David Lean.

The central character’s relationship is, famously, a very British affair — all awkwardly repressed emotions, discussion of the weather, fear of society’s opinions, stolen passionate kisses, guilt, indecision, true love and endless cups of tea. The witty screenplay, direction, and lead and supporting performances are all excellent.

Undoubtedly and deservedly a true British classic.

5 out of 5

Brief Encounter is on Film4 tomorrow, Friday 31st October 2014, at 5:20pm.

It placed 6th on my list of The Ten Best Films I Saw For the First Time in 2007, which can be read in full here.

Confetti (2006)

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2007 #75
Debbie Isitt | 96 mins | TV | 15 / R

ConfettiLargely improvised Britcom, shot in a documentary style, about three couples trying to win a most original wedding competition.

It starts out quite poorly, with unlikable characters and an irritating style, but things do improve and a number of the characters do grow on you (some, deliberately, remain horrid). My favourites are the pair of camp wedding planners — you don’t get much more stereotypical, but they’re lovable and amusing from the off.

Fittingly, the weddings at the end are probably the best bits.

3 out of 5

Confetti is on BBC Two tonight, Monday 25th August 2014, at 11pm.

Kinky Boots (2005)

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2007 #71
Julian Jarrold | 102 mins | DVD | 12 / PG-13

Kinky BootsA working class Britcom in the vein of films like The Full Monty.

It may take too long to get going properly, and even the most casual film viewer could jot down the key plot points from the start, but it nonetheless manages some laugh-out-loud moments, and it’s more often happy than groan-inducing when the ‘twists’ come off. If nothing else it’s worth seeing for Chiwetel Ejiofor (who you may recognise from films such as Serenity, Inside Man and Children of Men) as a drag queen.

My score may be a little generous, but all round I enjoyed watching it, so why not?

4 out of 5

Sense and Sensibility (1995)

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2007 #58
Ang Lee | 131 mins | DVD | U / PG

Sense and SensibilityA host of familiar British faces turn up in this Oscar-winning adaptation of the Austen-novel-with-the-name-like-Pride-and-Prejudice-only-not. Fans of any of the following will love this film: Jane Austen, costume drama in general, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet.

For the rest of us, there’s still lots of enjoyment to be had. Austen’s plots may be virtually identical and you might be able to spy the endings almost from the start, but there’s fun to be had getting there. Hugh Laurie’s small supporting role is particularly worthy of mention.

4 out of 5

It’s All Gone Pete Tong (2004)

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2007 #57
Michael Dowse | 86 mins | DVD | 15 / R

It’s All Gone Pete TongIf you’re into dance music/clubbing/Ibiza/etc, then this film is definitely aimed at you. As for the rest of us normal folk… well, to be honest, it’s actually a fair bit better than I was expecting!

The main reason I wanted to see it was because I’d heard it had interesting sound design; other than that, I thought a clubbing-based ‘comedy’ really wasn’t for me. Turns out it’s not as much of a ‘comedy’ as I expected, though there are some funny bits (and some mere attempts at funny bits).

By the end, there’s an odd feeling of having seen something a great deal better than expected, but still with a certain oddness that holds it back.

3 out of 5

Four short films

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2007 #52a
The End
2005 | Tim Clayton & Rob Crowther | download

A very brief film with a slightly silly, slightly amusing idea at its core. It doesn’t outstay its welcome, but it does lose something in that you can see the end coming almost from the start. Currently available for free at LOVEFiLM.

2 out of 5


2007 #52b
Bus Stop
2004 | Matt Abbiss | download

An animated, somewhat bizarre short about two people waiting at a bus stop. Done in a very simple style with sparse sound, but it’s competently executed and often effective. It has some amusing moments. Not bad, but mainly for people who like this kind of thing anyway. Currently available for free at LOVEFiLM.

2 out of 5


2007 #52c
Park
2005 | Andy Pearson | download

“Some humans in a park act like dogs” is essentially the premise of this film. It’s a decent enough concept for a short really, and is well executed with some nice little moments. Prettily shot in the autumn, too. Currently available for free at LOVEFiLM.

3 out of 5


2007 #52d
Nine 1/2 Minutes
2002 | Josh Appignanesi & Misha Manson-Smith | download

David Tennant (yes, David Tennant!) and Zoe Telford (she’s been in a variety of TV stuff) star in this comedic short about two people on an uncomfortable blind date that lasts just about as long as you might suspect. Genuinely funny for the most part, and easily the most professionally executed of these four shorts, but it does have a somewhat confounding conclusion. Currently available for free at LOVEFiLM.

4 out of 5

Stormbreaker (2006)

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2007 #48
Geoffrey Sax | 92 mins | DVD | PG / PG

StormbreakerAn adaptation of the first in Anthony Horowitz’s bestselling series of Alex Rider novels. It does a good job of translating the book, aided by an extensive cast of recognisable Brits (and some Yanks) and some entertaining action sequences.

It occasionally lets itself down in its choices of which bits to adapt and which to leave out, especially in the third act — some of the best action sequences are swapped for lesser ones (quad bikes for a horse in central London? Maybe a good idea on paper, but it doesn’t work), and the climax isn’t as fulfilling as the apparent one that happens just before it.

Not a bad effort, especially for kids.

4 out of 5

Ladies in Lavender (2004)

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2007 #36
Charles Dance | 100 mins | DVD | 12 / PG-13

While You Were SleepingJudi Dench puts in her fourth appearance in this list (far and away the most represented actor, I should think) in Charles Dance’s first film as writer and director.

Dench and her long-time friend Maggie Smith play believable sisters in a beautiful Cornish setting who discover a young Pole washed up on their beach. The story progresses from there in a gentle but engrossing fashion, and the cast of experienced Brits are as excellent as ever.

4 out of 5

Chocolat (2000)

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Chocolat2007 #32
Lasse Hallström | 117 mins | DVD | 12 / PG-13

Although not the lead character this time, Judi Dench once again revels in playing an old lady who can say what she likes, in this pleasant adaptation of Joanne Harris’ novel.

It’s a neat little story about acceptance that doesn’t suffer for its occasionally episodic plot or sometimes quaint depiction of French small-town life.

(I was occasionally distracted spotting the sci-fi/fantasy credentials of the cast. But that’s just me.)

4 out of 5

Mrs Henderson Presents (2005)

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2007 #31
Stephen Frears | 99 mins | DVD | 12 / R

Mrs Henderson PresentsJudi Dench is clearly having a whale of a time in this 1930s-set comedy about a 70-year-old widow who starts up a nude revue.

It begins as light comedy with a gently risque edge (rather in-keeping with its subject matter!), but things get a tad serious when the war hits. Luckily the film finds its lightness again in time for the ending, which is much more suited to the general tone.

All told it’s simply a bit of fun, but its overall quality just about nudges it into a four.

4 out of 5

Mrs Henderson Presents is on BBC Two tonight, Sunday 14th December 2014, at 10:30pm.