Capturing Mary

I'm surprised to find myself headlining a Poliakoff film as "boring" but I can't find any other way of describing this drag of a sagging saga.

Maggie Smith can do no wrong of course, and it would be sacrilege to criticise - she is truly a very skilled actor and is the reason I gave the film 5 stars . . .

However, David Walliams felt like he was all his Little Britain characters in one. In LB he's in his element, but outside that zone of easy comfort, he is, well, merely Walliams being given something other than comedy to try out, and I'm afraid he didn't cut it for me.

Everything seemed to go only so far. The posh accent, the gesticulations, thr facial expressions - all conspired to leave me unconvinced. And it always felt like Matt Lucas was about to suddenly appear from the scullery.

There are others here better qualified than I who can tell you what they think the "plot" was all about. To my mind it was just a slow windy spiral staircase through the mind of a now older woman trying to exorcise some past demons.

I can't review anymore because I fell asleep. I'm sure those kept awake by wondering how it all ends will stay the course, but frankly, there wasn't much in this film to make me care about the ending.

A superb follow up to Joe's Palace, Danny Lee Wynter had done a great job bringing Joe to life and giving the house a strong character. Those characters once again combine and tell a totally different story, so different in tone to Joe's Palace.

Visually sublime, it's a drama that makes you think outside the box, it doesn't conform to any of the usual rules, it isn't confined by today's classifications. It's just Stephen Poliakoff doing what he does best, making you lose yourself in a story.

It manages to be both creepy and engaging. I've always been a fan of David Walliams, but in this serious, slightly odd role, he gave what I see as his finest performance, he's charismatic, somewhat unnerving, quietly chilling. When Maggie Smith is on screen you can't help but watch in awe, she is outstanding, as is Ruth Wilson as her younger self.

Mr Poliakoff you've done it again. This was exceptional, 9/10.

I watched this for the sake of two actors I admire and they didn't disappoint. The story is confusing, but Maggie & David have terrific screen presence. They only have one short scene together, but it's worth the wait. I'm a fan of David's comedic work and am aware that many may dismiss his talent because of this. In reality he is a dedicated actor, who enjoys learning new material and taking advice from directors/producers/co stars etc. The Making Of on the DVD shows this, as well as explaining some of the complexities of the plot. I look forward to the commentary too. I hadn't watched "Joe's Palace", but this wasn't essential. Maggie is simply magic. I read Greville as being a "vampiric" character - charming & sinister. No wonder she could never get him out of her mind. 8/10

It is what it is. If you watched Joe's Palace, you'll get it. For those who called it rubbish, you're absolutely wrong. WWII was a beastly time in history, deep in conjecture. This is a good objective look on the frivolity and incomprehensible behavior and in-observance of that time in history. No different from now, same atrocities, same indifference and justifications of those in power. Inflictions of most civilians were not intended or personal, people were just trying to get through it, confused and thriving on distractions. So watch it, it's a history lesson. 10 for performances. You need to view Joe's Palace first. Great films for WWII history buffs, and promises an entertaining and pensive evening for both genders. It's a different take on the brutality of that time. Not drenched in warfare and genocide, but still moving and painful.

To begin with, I found the acting in this film superb. Maggie Smith was flawless as ever, and, as I am accustomed only to David Walliams'comedic work it was a treat to see him in something completely different.

While watching it my expectations were turned on end continually. At first it was shaping up as "aged socialite revisits colourful past", then it veered towards romance, swiftly doing a 180 towards suspense/horror. I could never seem to be able to slot it neatly into one genre, and after some time of feeling frustrated and somewhat confused, I relaxed and decided to just watch. By the end I felt I had been on a journey, one without a predictable structure or clear moral outcome, but one that slowly revealed character's life-questions. And there was satisfaction in knowing those questions were only beginning to be answered by the roll of the ending credits.