The plot: Blethyn's husband dies and leaves her with huge debts. She collaborates with the gardener, and the two of them hatch a smokin' plot to rescue her house and lifestyle from the ruthless debt collectors.
The confusion: I found it really difficult to get into the story as I was distracted by the confusion as to where the is set. The ecletic mix of Irish, Scottish, London and Cornish accents are totally confusing. And that's just when the actors get the accents right! I was humorously reminded of Dawn French doing her "How err yooy" Irish accent on more than one occasion.
The laughs: However, the story does deserve some credit -particularly for its originality. The comedy element is ther as well. Brenda Blethyn does a great job, as the rich housewife turned drugs criminal, and Martin Clunes provides the requisite drunken slapstick laughs. You'll love the scene with the two old newsagent ladies who get the giggles after becoming passively stoned.
The Message: That's a hard one. It seems like the film is telling us that cannabis is a fact of life, and generally accepted in British culture, including "the law" - even the local bobby turns a blind eye to what's going on in the village involving just about everyone. See recent speakers corner issues for more on that subject.
It also shows us that cannabis is no longer a drug used only by social misfits and the working classes. Indeed, because of the money involved, cannabis is rife in middle class communities, and will become more so, as time goes on. However, middle class dealers are quite another thing, as you will discover when you see Blethyn wandering a busy market trying to sell her wares inconspicuously!
However, there's still something missing. It's not the best British film, but it's definitely British - I don't think you'd see Bruce Willis and Julia Roberts playing these roles.
A lot of laughs, but not quite the Full Monty.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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![Saving Grace [2000] [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78537952.jpg "Saving Grace [2000] [DVD]")
Apr 28th, 2001
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