The Missionary (1982) -
This effort was not quite as witty as 'Stiff Upper Lips' (1997) or even 'A Private Function' (1984). In fact the comedy seemed so subtle that the film could have easily been a serious one made by Merchant Ivory and I wouldn't have noticed the difference. There was none of the wit that Palin showed as part of Monty Python.
And I didn't think that it had enough of Reverend Fortescue's (Michael Palin) actual "Mission" or rather, what he was actually getting up to. Maybe that was due to the time when it was made, but I've seen saucier stuff from the likes of the Carry On team much earlier and sort of expect it from a story that is about getting women of the night off the streets.
There were many jokes that could have been utilised, but weren't. For me that was a missed opportunity and they didn't even build on Fortescue's own sins as they should have done either.
With so much innuendo to work with it was hard to see how they only delivered this creation.
I was hoping for much more hilarity, but I was very disappointed. In fact I was quite disappointed overall.
It wasn't the worst film ever, it just wasn't the laugh riot I had hoped for and come to expect from Michael Palin and company. I barely snickered throughout.
Maggie Smith in the role of Lady Isabel was superb as she always is. And so was Michael Hordern (Slatterthwaite). Actors like them and the brilliant Denholm Elliott (The Bishop) have so frequently been in the more traditional period dramas, that it was hard to see the humour in their characters, without the necessary comedy as mentioned, but at least they didn't embarrass themselves.
I've definitely seen better from the actors involved and I've certainly seen better films overall. I very much doubt that I will return to this one again.
321.28/1000.
This effort was not quite as witty as 'Stiff Upper Lips' (1997) or even 'A Private Function' (1984). In fact the comedy seemed so subtle that the film could have easily been a serious one made by Merchant Ivory and I wouldn't have noticed the difference. There was none of the wit that Palin showed as part of Monty Python.
And I didn't think that it had enough of Reverend Fortescue's (Michael Palin) actual "Mission" or rather, what he was actually getting up to. Maybe that was due to the time when it was made, but I've seen saucier stuff from the likes of the Carry On team much earlier and sort of expect it from a story that is about getting women of the night off the streets.
There were many jokes that could have been utilised, but weren't. For me that was a missed opportunity and they didn't even build on Fortescue's own sins as they should have done either.
With so much innuendo to work with it was hard to see how they only delivered this creation.
I was hoping for much more hilarity, but I was very disappointed. In fact I was quite disappointed overall.
It wasn't the worst film ever, it just wasn't the laugh riot I had hoped for and come to expect from Michael Palin and company. I barely snickered throughout.
Maggie Smith in the role of Lady Isabel was superb as she always is. And so was Michael Hordern (Slatterthwaite). Actors like them and the brilliant Denholm Elliott (The Bishop) have so frequently been in the more traditional period dramas, that it was hard to see the humour in their characters, without the necessary comedy as mentioned, but at least they didn't embarrass themselves.
I've definitely seen better from the actors involved and I've certainly seen better films overall. I very much doubt that I will return to this one again.
321.28/1000.