Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War

A truly terrible film, it's an embarrassment to British comedy.

This could only be a topping up the bank account acting job for those involved in this travestry. Nothing about it is worth watching even the advert breaks are more entertaining.

This could have been a chance to shine a light on how the elderly are treated in uncaring care homes in a light-hearted way.

There aren't any laughs to be found in this rubbish. Considering the cast assembled the script is poor and formulated from various sitcoms with the humour removed. This is even worse than the later Carry on films, a sad waste of celluloid that could of been put to better use.

This film shows just how people are regarded over the age of 60, and unfortunately because generations are getting older, it will only get worse. Everyone in this film shows just what can be achieved if you don't have to sit & eat cabbage and be doped up to the eye balls.

Pauline Collins, plays her part so well, to be put into a home, just because her son (Peter Capaldi) and his wife want her home after his father dies, and now his mother has become "past it." The film shows just how in a position to either be putting someone in to a care home, or being made to go into a care home should be aware of, because this certainly is an eye opener. People are not "past it" just because they don't work, or have lost their partners.

Cabbage War is a little British gem. Pauline Collins is perfect for her role and it's not long before you get behind her. I don't know if this movie was an examination of marriage, ageism and aged care in Britain, but certainly it has a strong feminist bent. One of the main issues is chemical restraint in aged care homes, something that is currently being examined by a Royal Commission here in Australia. Toward the end it does go a little exaggerated as certain characters become unrealistically loopy, but it charts its course well and the unlikely end comes as a pleasant surprise. Some of Britain's best actors are with this one. The soundtrack was old-fashioned, but I'll concede, given the average age was well over 70, that's to be expected. Not the funniest movie I've ever seen, but one that will certainly make you smile, and certainly one with the purest of intentions.

Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War didn't reap the acclaim and appreciation it deserved upon its cinematic release, which is a shame because it is an enjoyable and comfortable comedy, but it also touches some raw nerves over the treatment of our senior citizens. Even though many audiences will not be able to identify with the aged protagonists, it doesn't take very long before the viewer is rooting for the 'Wrinkly Revolution', as the oldies thumb their noses at the mean-spirited authorities.

The leader of the backlash is Thelma Caldicot - a downtrodden housewife who is prematurely dumped in a retirement home by her money-hungry son and daughter-in-law. 'Twilight Years' is run by an obsequious manager and an iron-fisted matron, whose goals are to keep the profits rolling in, and the patients doped up and stuffed full of boiled cabbage. Thelma rebels against this and rallies the rest home residents into a large-scale escape, which becomes national news.

There are some lovely character roles; in particular the totally over-the-top rest home management duo, who well deserve whatever just desserts befall them. But was it really necessary to give them a sex scene? Additionally, the love interest for Thelma seems a trifle contrived, and doesn't add to the story at all. Where the narrative really works is when it questions our perceptions of what "old" and "past it" really mean, and that the uncomfortable and embarrassing truth is that it is easier to stuff elderly and confused people full of tranquilisers than it is to genuinely help them. Unfortunately, many of these moving scenes are marred by the overly sentimental score. The bouncy theme tune however is perfect for an occasionally outrageous, very funny, very British comedy that will leave the viewer with a pleasant and upbeat aftertaste.

Might not go down as everyones favourite. There isn't for the most part much comedy either. However, a woman with an unloving hubby who needs everything done for him, dies suddenly, then the son takes her home and leaves her at an old folks home...then the "fun starts"....the fun and enjoyment is watching how this timid housewife turns the tables on her circumstances and those who are against her. Great performance from everyone, including John Alderton. Catch this one, well worth watching