Director
Niall Johnson
Cast
Rowan Atkinson Reverend Walter Goodfellow
Kristin Scott Thomas Gloria Goodfellow
Maggie Smith Grace Hawkins
Patrick Swayze Lance
Tamsin Egerton Holly Goodfellow
Toby Parkes Petey Goodfellow
DVD Release Date: February 20, 2007
Rating: R
Running Time: 104 Minutes
The Movie
The Reverend Walter Goodfellow (Atkinson) thinks life is going along quite swimmingly. He is the vicar of a very small English parish and has a beautiful family. His wife Gloria (Thomas) takes care of the household and the children while he is working at keeping his congregation and ministry flowing along perfectly. Little does he realize that there are more problems in his life then just putting together a good sermon for the upcoming Sunday.
While the Reverend contends to getting his services together and all the pestering members of his congregation, Gloria deals with home life while all the while feeling much neglected. Her husband has lost the fire he once had inside of him and has become quite boring which has lead her to find other ways of enjoying life by taking up golf. But by learning golf, she’s also found another aspect of life she was missing. A burning passion that her American instructor Lance wants to give to her and she wants to receive.
Then there are the Reverend’s children Holly and Petey. Holly is seventeen and with a different boyfriend every other day as she is in the prime of her young sexual peek. The boys she chooses though don’t seem to be the type her parents, or anyone, might approve of for that matter. Petey just can’t seem to build up any confidence in himself and is constantly being picked on at school. Often afraid to even walk into school alone, he just can’t seem to build up any self-esteem which usually results in his getting beat up.
Things just didn’t seem destined for normalcy in the Goodfellow household. They needed a sign that things could change and get better. Enter Grace Hawkins. A kindly old woman who looks for the best in any and everyone has shown up in the parish of Wallop to become the new housekeeper for the Goodfellows. Soon things start to change for all the members of the family, but they may not necessarily be for the better. Grace does things in her own way and won’t let anyone tell her differently. It’s not long before some big changes are made in the small town, but Grace may just have some skeletons in her closet. Or should I say in her trunk.
Keeping Mum is a dark comedy that delivers in all the proper situations that a dark comedy should. The humor isn’t overly excessive and keeps it from getting too out of hand comedic. The problems of the Goodfellows seem like those that any real family could have, but it’s the small things said here and there that make them so much more amusing. Gloria fights with herself so much and curses enough that she provides enough laughs for the entire film. Reverend Goodfellow, played by the hilarious Atkinson, can make you crack up just by the expressions on his face.
The film does a great job of building up the characters and telling a story that incorporates every single one of them together. For it’s not until more then halfway through the film after some secrets are revealed, that the real humor comes out. Maggie Smith keeps quiet for almost the whole film and just does things underhanded and silently. But when Grace gets revealed for who she truly is, she delivers some fantastic one-liners that made me hope for more when the credits started to roll.
The Video
The film is shown in 16:9 Anamorphic Full Frame format and looks great. As has been the stereotype of it always being overcast in Europe, the same stays true in this film and gives it a good feel. It’s not a decidedly dark and evil film, but it’s not one that is all cheery and bright either. That is reflected perfectly in the surroundings, clothing, and even the town of Little Wallop.
The Audio
The film is heard in 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround sound and is also great. You’re hearing nothing more than dialogue for the entire film as it’s not like this is an action film with explosions and gunfire. The music though does a good job of keeping the mood of each scene to be exactly what it is aiming for whether it’s fear, humor, or just outright confusion.
Special Features
Bonus Scenes – Eleven cut scenes that could have been left in the film, but also didn’t take anything away from them by not being included. They can be played with or without commentary from director Niall Johnson.
Outtakes & Bloopers – Very funny and well worth a look. It’s pretty much just your normal flubbed lines or when the actors can’t stop laughing but they are still quite amusing; especially those of Kristin Scott Thomas.
Extended Scene – An extended cut of a scene in which Reverend Goodfellow plays goalie for a local soccer team. It’s very short but worth checking out because Atkinson is just hilarious no matter what he does.
Original Rosie Jones Beginning – This alternate opening is almost the same as the one in the film but just set in a few different locations. I actually find the one they chose to go with much better and more suited for the flow of the film.
Audio Commentary – Director Niall Johnson offers up his views of the film and how he came about all that went on. It’s a rather insightful look at how the mystery of the film is shrouded in the comedy and dark happenings all throughout Little Wallop. As I do believe you’ll want to watch this film more than once, I recommend checking out this commentary.
Trailer Gallery – Candy, Off The Black, Life Of The Party, Tideland, Strangers With Candy
Theatrical Trailer
The Inside Pulse
Keeping Mum is a film that is much better than it really has any right to be. It’s funny as hell and that’s not even because of Rowan Atkinson. Sure he has his moments, but its Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas that deliver the goods in this film and make it so enjoyable to watch. The special features make for a good amount of extra entertainment as well for they are very fun to check out. I sincerely suggest a rental at least, but it would not be a waste to pick this DVD up for your own. It’s one you’ll want to watch more than once, trust me.
