First Take: Wicked Little Letters - Colman + Buckley + swearing = madness

SYNOPSIS: When people in Littlehampton–including conservative local Edith–begin to receive letters full of hilarious profanities, rowdy Irish migrant Rose is charged with the crime. Suspecting that something is amiss, the town’s women investigate.

When the first promotions for this film rolled out at the end of last year, a lot of audiences were taken back by the bonkers nature of this TRUE story. But when you add two fine comedic actresses in their own right, as well as a swear count so large it would outnumber the Glaswegian reaction to the Wonka experience which was in the news this week, you end up getting this: a decent enough film for what it needs to be.

Thea Sharrock is in the director’s seat for this 1 hour 40 minute ‘experience’, and while it is paced well, there are a few minutes that could’ve been tightened up to hone it all in and keep the story going, but it is passable enough for what it needs to be (especially with Film4 putting money into it). My main bugbear lies with Jonny Sweet’s script - yes, it passes the 6 laugh test, but if this was a 12 certificate film though, without as much of the spicy language, then the film just wouldn’t land- as unlike the trailer above, it’s all uncensored in the film itself. The whole mystery of who’s sending the letters relies on the choice words in them, making the BBFC’s decision to pass it at 15 for very strong language totally justified. The legendary Ben Davis is behind the camera, and in true British indie film style, a familiar last name to TV viewers provides the score, as it is Isobel Waller-Bridge (yes, Phoebe’s sister) in charge of the music.

On to the cast then, and what do you say about the combined power of Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley? They have worked together before on a more serious film (2021’s The Lost Daughter), so to see them flex their skills in a black comedy, something Colman especially is rather good at, is ultimately this film’s USP. Plus this is a good supporting cast too- Timothy Spall, Dame Eileen Atkins, Anjana Vasan, Malachi Kirby, Joanna Scanlan, Gemma Jones, Lolly Adefope and Hugh Skinner all round out this group relatively nicely. But I have to take a moment to mention, once again, young Alisha Weir - the last time she was seen on cinema screens she was singing about being a little bit naughty, and on her second film, with Buckley by her side, she’s a scene stealer. For what it’s worth, this film isn’t one to be taken seriously, but one designed for those wanting a good, fun film to watch with mates.

THE VERDICT

For a comedy film inspired by true events, Wicked Little Letters just about delivers on the high expectations that the now-viral trailer set out, and while it could do with a few trims to tighten it here and there and a script that works without the swearing, the nuance of Colman and Buckley just about keep this film on the right track.

RATING: 4/5