(Malcolm Mowbray/1984/UK)
Set shortly after
World War II when rations are still in effect and butchers are living in fear
of food inspectors, A Private Function is a comedy about some small town snobs trying
to illegally fatten a pig for a celebration of the oncoming Royal wedding. A
newly arrived chiropodist and his social climbing wife and mother in law
attempt to break into this circle of village elitism by involving themselves in
the prohibited pig plans and the film goes on to play with British notions of
class and getting ahead to great effect. Written by Alan Bennett it’s got an
incredibly light but sharp humour. At times quips go by so effortlessly you
almost miss them. With a powerhouse cast including Denholm Elliot, Maggie
Smith, Michael Palin, Richard Griffith, Liz Smith, Pete Postlewaith and Alison
Steadman it’s not short on great performances either. But for all that A
Private Function never really hits a proper stride, there’s no absolutely laugh
out loud moments I found, but it is funny. It is a gentler type of comedy and
therein lays a lot of its charm. Watch out for an early incarnation of Liz
Smith’s Nana from The Royle Family in the form of Joyce’s mother.
(3/5)
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