Now available to rent and buy on video on demand platforms in the UK is the British comedy, Wicked Little Letters. Directed by Thea Sharrock and based on a true story, the movie stars Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, and Timothy Spall, and tells the tale of two women who get caught up in a mystery involving a series of scandalous letters.
In the movie, the decade is the 1920s and on a small street in Littlehampton, devout Christian, Edith Swan, receives an envelope through her front door. The envelope contains the latest in a series of letters addressed to Edith, which contain hurtful comments and coarse language.
Edith’s father believes the letters are the work of foul-mouthed next door neighbour, Rose Gooding. Rose is a single mother with a mouth like a drunken sailor, and as far as he is concerned is the likely (and only) suspect.
After making a complaint to the police, Rose is arrested on suspicion of writing the letters and temporarily sent to prison. But is Rose really the person behind the poison prose, or does someone else have a grudge against Edith?
The first thing to note about Wicked Little Letters is the film’s cast, which as noted above includes Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, and Timothy Spall. Having one of these actors in the movie would be an advantage, but having this trio of top talent is something else entirely.
The second thing to note about Wicked Little Letters is the premise. The idea of Olivia Colman playing a wholesome woman from the 1920s, who receives a series of expletive-filled letters, sounds far too tempting to pass up and provides the potential for a good dose of comedy.
So, it brings me a great deal of satisfaction to say the cast of this film are as good as you expect AND the comedy in this film is sublime too. Sure, Wicked Little Letters isn’t always a laugh riot, but when the dialogue hits just right the chuckles start coming and there’s a great deal of enjoyment to be had.
Wicked Little Letters is a marvellous little film and a real gem to behold. It mixes heart and humour in equal measure, and is worth watching for the cast alone.
The film begins with the arrival of the latest letter and how it is impacting Edith and her family. From here, the story expands to look at the relationship between Edith and Rose, making it clear they were once good pals, before looking at how this friendship broke down.
Moving forward, suspicion mounts, accusations fly, and the mystery surrounding the anonymous letter-writer gets underway. It’s here that things begin to sour for Rose as she is taken away for a crime she didn’t commit, and the story becomes more compelling.
Early on, it is very clear that Rose is innocent, and even clearer as to who the real culprit is, but the fun comes from watching how the story unfolds. There’s a great deal of mileage to be had from seeing Colman, Buckley, and Spall simply doing their thing, and this keeps everything ticking along nicely.
To then add to this, director Thea Sharrock builds a very believable world around the central characters, which really helps to ground this tale. Wicked Little Letters takes place in a post-war era, where change is on the horizon, so while this film is about the absurdity of some letters, there’s actually a lot more going on.
Edith and Rose exist in a time period in which significant developments for women are coming, and this is perfectly explored on screen. Writer Jonny Sweet captures the essence of these developments brilliantly, leading to a story which says a lot without having to say much at all, and this makes for a captivating romp which is more than just surface level guffawing at profanities.
Swearing can be funny, and Wicked Little Letters understands this, but this film isn’t just about crass language. Wicked Little Letters is about emotions and feelings, with the lives of Edith and Rose playing a huge part in the story.
This picture works due to many factors (the tone, the set dressing, etc), but its insistence on keeping Edith and Rose at the forefront is the film’s trump card. These are fascinating characters, who feel fully formed, and it is a joy to see them on screen showcasing their many facets.
When Wicked Little Letters made its theatrical debut at the beginning of the year, it opened to a mixed response from critics. It was also accompanied by a less-than-stellar preview trailer which had to work around the colourful language as best as it could, so it didn’t get off to the best start.
For these reasons, you may not have caught this movie or paid it much attention, which is a shame. My advice would be to rectify this situation when you get the opportunity, as I believe you will be pleasantly surprised.
Wicked Little Letters is a lot of fun and a thoroughly enjoyable film. It has been put together with care and attention, with a cast who appear to be having a great time, and it is a real treat for those looking for some heartfelt escapism.
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