Bizarrely, given its small scale, this may be Branagh's best film to date. Shorn of the over-ambition which hampered Frankenstein and Dead Again, this minor masterpiece (which almost looks made for TV) will be a joy to anyone who's ever worked in under-funded theatre (excuse the tautology).
The cast are in fine form, and the photography is suitably glowing - but the film's greatest strength lies in its witty and accurate script. Obviously born of years of painful experience, the dialogue sparkles with insight and humour. Why the hell doesn't Branagh write more of his own material? Subtly directed, cleverly structured and superbly performed, this is recommended to all Branagh followers, all theatre lovers, and all fans of grown-up British humour. 9 out of 10.
PS The connections with Branagh's own version of Hamlet are obvious, but who is Dylan Judd, who gets offered a three-film sci-fi deal? Could it be Liam Neeson or Ewan Macgregor? Answers on a postcard to Shepperton Studios...
