Evengyny Thanks for the memories!

MamaGravity good back-story, and good acting

Murphy Howard I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Staci Frederick Blistering performances.

feyipuk Rowan Atkinson is a vicar who's lost his motivation and become stuck in the rut of endless meetings. A charming, bumbling, wet blanket, which he plays in the same way he does many of his previous acting roles. Kristin Scott Thomas is his long suffering wife, who feels she's lacking any spice in her life. The parents are so focused on their own lives that they can't see what is happening with their children. Tamsin Egerton is the wayward daughter, who sleeps around, much to the irritation of her parents, who seem unable to reign her in. Toby Parkes plays the young son, finding it hard to fit in at school. And into their lives comes a mysterious Maggie Smith, who, while charming and motherly on the surface, hides a darker side that could have big implications on the family. This is a beautifully written and executed black comedy - reminiscent of the Ealing Studios comedies such as the Lady Killers - with the family at the centre of the story having plenty of aspects to empathise with. It's produced in part by the Isle of Man Film Commission, and if you know the island, then the landscape really jumps out; the sons school is Sulby, they have tea at Cregneash (over looking the Calf of Man), there's a shot with the Castle of Refuge at Douglas in the background, and even shots from inside the Gaiety Theatre, yet it could be based in any small village environment, with its quirky characters and small scale problems that shouldn't require such...final solutions.

Benjamin Cox Although farce is a universal comedic language, it's fair to say that nobody does farce as well as the English. From Oscar Wilde to Richard Curtis, the English sense of humour is strongly based in misunderstanding, misdirection and classic class stereotypes and this movie is a revival of such long-standing traditions. It might not be a riotous laugh but like "Calendar Girls", this is a gentle and almost relaxing comedic plod through the English countryside and offers a modern and black interpretation of "Mary Poppins" that Disney would certainly not approve of! In the sleepy village of Little Wallop, Reverend Walter Goodfellow (Rowan Atkinson) is struggling with his parishioners as well as trying to write the opening speech for a forthcoming conference. But away from the pulpit, things are even worse for his family - not that Walter is noticing. His wife Gloria (Kristin Scott-Thomas) is considering an affair with slimy golf instructor Lance (Patrick Swayze), his daughter Holly (Tamsin Egerton) has a succession of unsuitable boyfriends and his son Petey (Toby Parkes) is being bullied at school. Enter their new housekeeper Grace (Maggie Smith) who slowly begins to work her magic on the family. But Grace has plenty of dark secrets of her own and soon, her unusual methods of keeping the peace create more problems for Gloria than they actually solve...There aren't many actors who are happy to play up to their usual characters but the cast of "Keeping Mum" all do a fantastic job, adding a worrying authenticity to proceedings but the star of the show is Smith who is simply wonderful as the naughty nanny with a mysterious trunk "full of memories". Swayze also does very well as the lecherous lover of Gloria, reminding you of what a fine actor he actually was. The story might not be the most disguised and you can't help but wonder how the truth was concealed to the characters for as long as it was. But it's a delightful pastiche of those English clichés of sleepy villages, nosey busy-bodies and murderous citizens reacting to the slightest provocation. It's like an extended episode of "Midsomer Murders" but with slightly more swearing and nudity - in fact, it sorta makes me feel that it's been produced more for a foreign market as opposed to a British one but it's not that's not a reason for me to dislike a film that generally is amusing, interesting and offers an antidote to overly sugary "nanny" films like "Mary Poppins" or "Nanny McPhee"."Keeping Mum" might not be everyone's cup of tea but it is a recommended comedy crime thriller that reminds us to be careful of exactly what we wish for. As a bonus, it is also beautifully shot - I cannot recall a film that showed how truly amazing the British countryside can look, a real picture-postcard filled with rolling hills, sweeping coastlines and cottages with smoke-billowing chimneys and stone walls. "Keeping Mum" does for England what "Lost In Translation" did for Japan or "Y Tu Mama Tambien" did for Mexico. In addition to its stunning cinematography, it's a funny yet grisly film that will amuse most people although anyone expecting gut-busting belly laughs might want to look elsewhere. Still, this is much funnier that a lot of comedies out there so give it a try and wallow in some good, old-fashioned farce.

samantha urban This brilliant British comedy captures your attention from the very beginning with a bold and brave first scene including a big, brown, leather trunk, a young pregnant female, and her husband and his mistress' dismembered body parts.Despite the fact that he has directed no other major films, Niall Johnson does a brilliant job with Keeping Mum, and it hasn't gone amiss. Johnson along with his fellow screenplay writer Richard Russo won the well deserved film discovery jury award for screenplay for this 90 minute wonder.It excellently en-capsules the average British family life, (but with a slight twist) ; a nymphomaniac teenage daughter with a bullied, naive younger brother, a well-meaning vicar father and a mother who is having an affair with her American golf pro and on top of dealing with all of that, trying and failing at 'Keeping Mum' out of trouble. Kristen Scott Thomas does an excellent job at portraying the pain and hardship encountered by dealing with her interesting family and was even nominated for an ALFS award for best British actress of the year.I can't praise the rest of the acting so highly in the rest of the film however. Maggie Smith acts her character out perfectly and keeps the humour intact and rolling well, nonetheless, she plays the same old role as most of her other films; a fragile old woman with an innermost gut and determination. Similarly with Rowan Atkinson, he once again plays an unknowing, naive character that somehow manages to be funny along the way, yet not always very well acted. And as for Patrick Swayze? Well, isn't he always the same old gorgeous sleaze-ball?Although, Utmost praise to Niall Johnson and Richard Russo, who manage to explore the true family dynamics while heart-warmingly dealing with the vicars journey back to his old self & the whole families realisation of the importance of each other. Although it an extremely predictably plot right from the word go, the last ten seconds at the end may be the best last ten seconds of any film I have seen, with a twist that was so unexpected I was simultaneously keeling over with laughter and frozen in shock.This brilliant black British comedy is a definite must-see, one that I can re-watch time and time again. 7/10

blanche-2 As a young woman, Grace Hopkins was sent to prison for an indeterminate period of time after killing her husband and his lover and stuffing them in a trunk. Unfortunately, on a train trip, blood started leaking out of the trunk, and Grace was caught. Years later, Grace (now Maggie Smith) becomes the housekeeper for a minister's family. The minister, Walter (Rowan Atkinson) is a forgetful person, preoccupied with his work -- so preoccupied that he's stopped having sex with his wife Gloria (Kristen Scott Thomas) who is contemplating an affair with her golf pro Lance (Patrick Swayze). Walter's and Gloria's beautiful older daughter (Tamsin Egerton) is a nympho and knows her mom isn't getting any, and their son (Toby Parkes) is the object of bullying at school.Grace sets about making things right for the family, but sometimes her methods are a bit questionable."Keeping Mum" is a wonderful English comedy, and the performances are superb. Maggie Smith as a sweet-seeming but ruthless old woman is a riot. Kristen Scott Thomas does a fantastic job as Gloria, unhappy but unsure about having an affair with the randy Lance. Though it was sad to see Patrick Swayze and realize he's gone, he was perfect as the horny golf pro who gives the sexiest golf lessons around. Rowan Atkinson, as the dim minister, is marvelous, growing from a man lacking in self-confidence to taking on a new presence in his life and ministry.Highly recommended. I had the great privilege of seeing Maggie Smith on-stage in "Lettice and Lovage" and she was magnificent. I'm afraid that opportunity won't come again. What a joy to be able to see her in films.