Fresh from watching the second series of ‘Downton Abbey’
the Emmy Award winning period drama, I had a urge to seeing some more work of
one of it’s biggest stars, Dame Maggie
Smith who now appears to be more regal than the aristocratic characters she
excels at playing.
My search turned up this rather intriguing movie from 2000,
which was the film debut from acclaimed British theatre and opera director Deborah Warner. Set in Ireland in the 1920’s at the time of
‘The Troubles’ i.e. when Irish republicanism is at a peak and the civil war gives
way to the Separation of the Country into two different States. The ‘enemy’ were the Anglo-Irish Landowning Aristrocracy
who claimed Irish heritage but in reality were more English than their
counterparts in England.
This story centers on one such couple Sir Richard and Lady Myra, who are the owners of great country
house. Sir
Richard is happy enough to just amble through life regardless, whilst his wife
is a very charming but complete and utter snob who holds strong opinions on
everything. It’s a delicious performance by Dame Maggie who’s pronounces words
like often (‘aweften’) with such an enormous plum in her mouth, she would make our
own Queen seem quite common in comparison.
Lady Myra is horrified when her niece forms an ‘attachment’ to a Captain
serving in the British Occupying Army because his parents are ‘in trade’ and
socially that will not do at all.
The house’s other inhabitants Hugo and Francine are a
freeloading handsome young man and his older rather plain wife who, since they have
sold their own home, now sponge off others.
And also visiting is Marda Norton a real beauty who is sadly aware that
she is getting past her sell by date and needs to make a good match very soon.
All of them are carrying on with their social driven rather
comfortable lives whilst the world outside is getting more dangerous and the
fighting gets closer and closer to their wealthy and privileged existence. Little do they know it, but it is the
beginning of the end for their way of life completely.
It was hardly an inspiring or convincing plot, but
what the movie lacked in a story line, it made up for with some stellar
performances from a celebrated bunch of wonderful actors.
The star of most of Ms. Warner’s stage plays. Fiona Shaw was enchanting
as the aging femme fatale and reminded one of how too rare her screen appearances
are. Michael Gambon was Sir Richard,
Jane Birkin (who for some reason I loathe … maybe its because I think she cannot
act her way out of a paper bag) was the plain wife, David Tennant (a future ‘Dr.
Who’) was the British Captain, and Lambert Wilson (Of Gods & Men) the
handsome Hugo.
And it was all worthwhile just to see Dame Maggie give
her withering look as she turns her nose down on practically everyone. Very camp, but totally perfect.
Not a great film by a long short, but a pleasant diversion,
and completely entertaining.
★★★★★★
