Movie Review: Keeping Mum

Keeping Mum was suggested to me by Netflix, and feeling game, I allowed it to enter my queue. I'll try to keep it short, so as not to ruin the plot.  The 2005 film centers around a small town vicar (Rowan Atkinson) and family.  The vicar is a rather oblivious sort, unaware of his wife's (Kristin Scott Thomas) dissatisfaction and developing affair, his daughter's promiscuity, or his son's problems with bullies.  A new housekeeper (Maggie Smith) arrives, and suddenly, things begin to change.  All seems to be well, until the dark secrets begin to unfold.

The plot, at first glance, is unassuming, but it is nonetheless charming.  It unfolds into a delightfully dark comedy, ripe with a winning supporting cast.  Liz Smith, whom you may recognize from the Vicar of Dibley, plays Mrs. Parker, a neighbor and ardent member of the church flower-arranging committee.  I did find Patrick Swayze embarrassing to watch, but that's the character he was playing.  Also, the son, featured in the plot during the first half (or so) of the film, was inexplicably missing from the rest.  Not that it harmed the story, but it was a little weird, is all.  Overall, thoroughly enjoyed by me and a few of my jaded housemates.  If your taste is for black humor, and you possess any anglophilia, I strongly recommend Keeping Mum.