James Beck

I loved this film. I almost bought into some of the cynical reviews. I'm glad I didn't. Twice. IF hits me just right. Maybe a bit too much Bridge to Terabithia, albeit with a lighter hand, but otherwise outstanding. That doesn't mean that everyone will love it. Evidently, it's possible to be too old or jaded to like it. That's the point, after all.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare captures the same vibe as films like the Magnificent Seven and the Dirty Dozen and combines it with a bit of real history. Well-worth it. A/A-

Five stars overstates it somewhat. However, I thoroughly enjoyed it. A/A- This was the first feature that I have seen with Jessie Buckley. She reminded me of Debbie Reynolds. Olivia Coleman gives her usual brilliant performance, but the whole main cast excelled, from Jessie Buckley on down. Special mention to Joanna Scanlan and Anjana Vasan, but really, there are no weak players in this cast. Well-written and filmed. Standout cast. It's hard to beat. That said, it's set in a period, but it's not really a period piece. It includes some elements of a police procedural, but it's not that, either. It's a broad comedy about an amusing bit of history. It irreverently mocks manners, rectitude, racism, the Keystone Kops, pompous prosecutors, politicians and tabloid journalism. So... It's quasi-historical but not history, satircal but not satire, broadly comedic but not exactly a comedy. What's left? It's a broadly comedic take on what happened, not a whodunit, so the players aren't the central focus in themselves. Lurking in the background are all sorts of things that should be taken seriously. In a nutshell, I'd call it an absurdist farce. Not everyone will like it. A few will actively dislike it. I liked it--a lot--but maybe I'm just no longer in the mood to complain.

A bit better than 4, but it's not a 5. Very well acted and filmed. Nuanced, but somewhat underwritten. Best Liam Neeson (acting) film that I have seen. The first layer of supporting cast was decent and sometimes very good. Below that, the cast becomes an uncompelling part of the scenery. That said, because it's underwritten, it's also plodding, overacted and stereotypical at times. Keeping in mind that theaters are mainly screening B/B+ or better films to woo back viewers, most of the audience will not be disappointed, but they won't be delighted either.