Keeping Mum

THINKFilm | Release Date: September 15, 2006

7.3	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 44 Ratings

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AshutoshR.Sep 17, 2006

Keeping mum is a very ordinary and straight forward comedy movie . And what is more disappointing about this movie is that this is a Brit production . The Brits have certainly lowered their standards.

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KenRJun 11, 2023

Keeping Mum – Please, Keep Away Mum

Here’s one for those who like to laugh without thinking too much about the writing. The black ‘humor’ gets blacker and grottier as this over-the-top nonsense falls off the rails. While it boasts a goodKeeping Mum – Please, Keep Away Mum

Here’s one for those who like to laugh without thinking too much about the writing. The black ‘humor’ gets blacker and grottier as this over-the-top nonsense falls off the rails. While it boasts a good cast and production values, all other values are forgotten as the movie makers go all out for lowly giggles and thinly veiled soft porn. Rather obviously borrowing from the earlier American ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ this English picture adds a grimy American character (Patrick Swayze) lusting after any woman who presents as a vulnerable conquest.

In the sales promo Mr Swayze says “Every so often a script comes along that stands out from the rest” - Poor Pat, he sure must have been offered a lot of stinkers or more likely was paid handsomely to make that statement! Mr Atkinson has played local Vickers several times before, but this could possibly be his weakest. The casting and handsome locations will carry this for most viewers, but anyone wanting more may be disappointed by the total outcome.… Expand

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DawdlingPoetNov 28, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie features quite dark humour, its a case of discovering whats behind the image of the seemingly idyllic, quaint little English town, more specifically the Goodfellows - some of the scenes involving the wife, Gloria and her affair with the American golf instructor Lance are rather cringeworthy - its perhaps worth pointing out that he's played by the late Patrick Swayze and in this movie he plays the role of a rather rugged, suave type who is far from shy of making a saucy pun or double entendre or two.

I felt again like this movie was decent enough overall, there are some rather amusing scenes and the story is fairly intriguing, the ending is even kind of touching but in the middle I felt that it lagged a bit too long. The story is quite shocking to start with, when it cuts to present day you wonder how it can relate to what seems like a rather run of the mill rural setting. The story was interesting enough until probably about 45 minutes into the movie, so roughly half way through but I felt that it just dragged a bit too much at that time, to the extent that I was feeling a bit frustrated, waiting to see what the twist would be (that I presumed was coming), where the real punchline lay and I found myself feeling a bit distracted as the movie stumbled on somewhat, focussing on Walter preparing and giving his speech entitled 'God works in mysterious ways' (of course there is irony in what he says, given what we know is going on with his family back at home). The movie isn't without its humour or entertainment but its not one that's going to appeal to everyone - it will depend on your sense of humour and taste in movies what you make of this really, I reckon. I'd say that Atkinson is well chosen to portray the bumbling vicar, reverand Walter and he does bring some comedy to his role, although the majority of the comedy comes from Gloria and her 'extra marital activities', with the mysterious Grace Hawkins being the black sheep in the family for a while, keeping a closer eye on the 'goings ons' than may be first thought. Maggie Smith does give a very solid performance as Grace, fans of hers shouldn't be disappointed.

I liked how the story picked up again towards the end of the movie, it is quite dry, humour wise. I suppose it has a bit of what may be called the classic British comedy build up to the story, its fairly slow and meandering but then the situations start to become rather preposterous and it gathers pace. I felt that at the end, your still not sure entirely what happened, or I felt that way anyway, although I think thats part of the wry humour - I won't give away what the ending scene is though, as that would obviously spoil the movie. By way of comparison, I'd say that this is a bit like a feature length episode of The Vicar of Dibley, with one or two blind sided parishioners and the vicar being a bit dizzy too. Its fairly watchable with some funny aspects, the story is a bit peculiar and its certainly quite 'British' in my mind - some people will enjoy this more than others, there are some big names present such as obviously Maggie Smith as Grace (I'd say that she gave the best performance, playing the well informed newcomer to the family well), Rowan Atkinson as Walter (funny when I hear the name Walter it always makes me think of Dennis the Menace...lol) and Patrick Swayze as Lance and generally its ok, its quite quirky and amusing although I felt it was a real shame that the story stumbled/lagged so half way through. I also felt that the ending was a little unclear... overall if you like dry and witty British movies and the story appeals, you may enjoy this, although I can't help but feel like it could have been a bit 'sharper' somehow...perhaps this isn't quite 'my bag' (or my type of movie) though...

I think that this will, as with the majority of movies, appeal to some people more than others. I thought the story was interesting at the start and as it gathered pace at the end but I definitely felt that it dragged a bit too long mid way and I felt myself feeling distracted which is never a good sign as such, though the cast is good and I can't specifically fault performances, its ok but not great. Also there is some strong language and sexual references, so if your thinking of watching this with a young family or even with other teens, that would probably make for some uncomfortable viewing, so count yourself warned in that regard. If your a fan of Maggie Smith, I'd recommend it as being worth a watch though...so overall I think I'm stuck having to opt for 'undecided' aka it depends - I probably wouldn't tend to recommend this unless its shown on TV or you can rent it for free or some-such, generally but I think that some people may find it funnier or may enjoy the irony more than I did.… Expand

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