Movie Notes: Cold Comfort Farm

December 15th, 2008

= 4 stars

Starring Kate Beckinsale, Joanna Lumley, Eileen Atkins
Directed by John Schlesinger

Synopsis

In 1930s England, orphaned Flora Poste (Kate Beckinsale) shacks up with her dark and brooding relatives at Cold Comfort Farm. Not one to let her environment bring her down, she affects the lives of all the farm’s inhabitants.

The Good

• This made for British television flick looks as vibrant and lively as a feature film.
• One line in particular stands out — “There’s something nasty in the woodshed.” I don’t think this is ever explained, but it doesn’t matter.
• See pre-slicing werewolves Kate Beckinsale before Michael Bay got a hold of her.
• Ian McKellan has a small but striking role as a bombastic, fire and brimstone preacher.
• The “overly sexed” farmhand Seth (Rufus Sewell) has a classic scene where he’s wooed by a Hollywood producer — the film changes to parody adventure movies of the time.

The Bad

• A little syrupy at times, and the levity may frustrate some — the happy ending is obligatory and certainly not logical.
• Joanna Lumley doesn’t do a whole lot.
• Dramatic conflict is pretty sparse. Flora has a near-superhero way of winning everyone over, and the “bad” folks don’t turn out to be that bad after all — just gloomy.

Conclusion

This is a harmless, feel-good flick that my wife and I will likely re-watch from time to time, like The Wedding Singer or Johnny Dangerously. The point is living in fear vs. making something positive out of your life and following your bliss. That’s no cold comfort.

IMDB: Cold Comfort Farm
Rotten Tomatoes: Cold Comfort Farm 83%