Wicked Little Letters (15)

★★★ An ultimately rather cosy tale of British eccentricity, enlivened by a superb cast. ~ Total Film.

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A 1920s English seaside town bears witness to a dark and absurd scandal in this riotous mystery comedy.

Based on a stranger than fiction true story, Wicked Little Letters follows two neighbours: deeply conservative local Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley).

When Edith and fellow residents begin to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foul-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime.

The anonymous letters prompt a national uproar, and a trial ensues. However, as the town’s women - led by Police Officer Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) - begin to investigate the crime themselves, they suspect that something is amiss, and Rose may not be the culprit after all.

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★★★★ Olivia Colman hurling expletives is enough to sustain this witty true-life comedy. ~ The Independent.

★★★★ Jessie Buckley and Olivia Colman create fabulous fireworks together. ~ Irish Independent.

★★★ Two beloved character actors face off in a sweary but cosy period comedy. ~ Time Out.

★★★ It’s nominally a mystery — who is posting foul-mouthed letters around the English seaside town of Littlehampton? — but its appeal is down to the brio of an energised cast led by Jessie Buckley and Olivia Colman. ~ Financial Times.

★★✭ Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley get on like a house on fire, dropping F-bombs galore in this foul-mouthed British farce with a great cast. ~ ManchesterTheatres.com