Review of Keeping Mum (2005) by Nicholas V — 20 Sep 2007

Here is probably the smartest British comedy since 'Shaun of the Dead'. 43 years ago, Rosie Jones killed her husband and his mistress only to be caught on a train because blood leaked out of the trunk.

She was thrown away into the asylum and dubbed criminally insane. Today, she has been released and has changed her name to Grace Hawkins (Maggie Smith) and in the village of Little Wallop, she is about to become the housekeeper to the Goodfellows.

There is Walter, the town vicar (Rowan Atkinson), whose trying to write the perfect sermon for a convention, his wife Gloria (Kristin Scott Thomas) who is dealing with the neighbor's dog keeping her up all night and trying to fight off the advances of her American golf instructor Lance (Patrick Swayze), and their kids Holly, who is a premiscious 17-year old, and Petey, who is terrified of school because of the bullies that always mess with him.

Little do they know that Grace is going to be just what they ordered. That is until a shocking secret comes out, which is that her homicidal tendencies are taking over. Yes, this is a black comedy, but for the most part, it is so light that you might not tell the difference.

This is the definition of a modern Ealing comedy. It's smart, it's well acted, and it is very, very funny. I will be honest, Rowan Atkinson has never been more restrained, Maggie Smith with a shovel is very funny, and Patrick Swayze is very good as the American trying to seduce the wife by not knowing what satisfies a British woman.

If it's playing in your area, check it out. If not, wait for video. It's one funny movie. To quote one critic, "this is how Hitchcock would've directed Nanny McPhee.".