Category: Ramblings

ADHD and Isolation

So this one is a little weird and rather hard to cover. Certainly for me, isolation is a symptom of ADHD, but it is also a solution, coping mechanism and self-care to the emotional deregulation, pain and burnout that comes from trying to socialise and fit in.

Social isolation is a real problem for women with ADHD. We feel disconnected from family members and colleagues who don’t understand our ADD challenges. And we feel too ashamed to ask for help. 

ADDitude

I’ve never been the life of the party and I never suffer from FOMO. I only probably make around 50% of my prearranged engagements and if it’s a party of some description, I am planning my escape from the moment I arrive.

However, I am really struggling to be ‘normal’ of late, and I think it is largely to do with how the last five or so years have unfolded and the various types of isolation I’ve experienced.

Social skills are all the things we should say and do (or not say and do) when we interact with other people. They aren’t officially taught in school, but it’s expected that we all know the mysterious social rules that govern our relationships.

If you don’t, you often end up dismissed, rejected, and lonely without knowing exactly what it is that you did wrong, and no one usually tells you. Without feedback you rarely have a chance to improve your social behavior. What a vicious cycle!

Additude
YearType of Isolation
2019Moved back to Liverpool and began looking after my father who was rendered bed bound by March 2019. He was suffering from end-stage Emphysema and heart failure.
Even in October 2018, he was driving around, but I honestly don’t know how. So I came home and took over the cooking and spent some quality time with him. Due to his condition, I limited how much I spent out, not wanting to pass any bug onto him.

My ex best friend, J. Well I saw her once a week, but that was only because I was used to pick up her kids and sold to me as a ‘break’ away from my dad.
The most hurtful being that the one time she asked if I was doing anything on a Friday Night?! It was to babysit so she could go out. Massive RSD.

Dad died in November 2019. (I still went and stewarded a Liverpool game a few days after he passed because I was needing to be around people)
My brother didn’t come to the funeral (his second son was born the next day), didn’t come to see me between his death and the funeral. All calls came with a RSD tag of “My family here is all I need; my wife and children. That’s it.” EVERY. SINGLE. CALL. He never asked if there was anything he could do.
I went to see him and he was snappy from the moment I saw him on the Thursday evening. By Saturday I was told to “Get the fuck out my house.” and he left me to spend my first Christmas without Dad alone.
2020I waited until after Christmas to properly look for a job. Having no money made it incredibly hard to socialise.
I was so close to getting a job at Knowsley Safari Park and it wasn’t fun when I was not picked. However, it didn’t really matter because by March, the whole country was in lockdown.

I went all Yellow Wallpaper on the house and stripped the walls after the smoke infused off-white reminded me of why I was alone. This would have been the perfect time to be clearing the house, but I couldn’t even afford a skip so that was out.

My brother was briefly back in my life when our old teacher got in touch to tell me he wasn’t doing well. However we parted ways again when I asked for money to cover the bills and instead of saying ‘no’, he ignored me for 2 days and then sent me £10 shy of what the bill was, completely triggering my RSD. Even though I didn’t have a name for it, he knew exactly what I’d be like.

In September I started work as a supply teacher, but I wasn’t making any connections. I was in a different place from day to day.

Due to the nature of 2020, I ended up spending Christmas and my birthday alone due to my ‘bubble’ having Covid and me needing to isolate.
2021January – March I had work once a week because schools closed again and schools didn’t need supply workers. All the money I had was going on bills and food, and there was no socialising due to the government fucking up.

18 months, to the day that dad died, I got a letter to tell me I had to get the fuck out of the house. No my brother wasn’t going to help clear the place, no it didn’t matter that I was jobless because of Covid (Although I was at this point working as a supply teacher), he wanted his money and was concerned I was destroying the house, specifically mentioning the garden and the front door as his biggest concerns. So regardless of my situation, the house needed to go on the market and I needed to get out.
The half-sister who said for all to hear at the funeral that she didn’t want part of the house not only didn’t want to help clear, wasn’t happy that I was using a probate company to complete the sale and distribution of wealth because she would lose some of the money.

So any spare time that wasn’t being used working was used emptying the house.
Started HMRC in October. Trained from home, did two weeks in the office and they closed again due to Covid.
2022Offices opened up again around April time, but closed due to flooding in June/July
2023Offices opened back up around June time.
2024

ADHD: Overstimulation and Stress

Overstimulation is a state of feeling overwhelmed by the situation you are in. This might take the form of physical or emotional discomfort and feeling like your brain is frozen or you’re unable to think or process anything that’s happening.

VeryWellMind.com

It can also make a person irritable, panicked, or stressed, causing them to lash out at your friends or loved ones all while feeling a strong urge to escape the situation.
When an ADHDer is greatly affected by a certain stimulus, such as a sound or smell, this can lead to the following signs and symptoms:

  • Headaches, dizziness, or light-headedness
  • Feeling ill, faint, or nauseous
  • Increased anxiety and stress
  • Irritability and agitation
  • Issues with sleeping
  • Emotional outbursts
  • Difficulty focusing

WHAT THIS MEANS

If I am overstimulated, I will either shut down, hyperfocus or I will leave for a while. When in work this used to happen after a particularly bad call, and I would walk a lap, or three, of the floor.

Yup, I’m pretty certain when I’m overstimulated I resemble a Fizzgig. Certainly on the inside, but there’s a good chance on the outside too.

WHAT I WANT YOU TO KNOW

If I’m irritable or emotional. It’s not about you. I’m fizzy. One thing I always worry about is hurting people when I’m angry. One thing I’ve always been told is that I wear my heart on my sleeve. Basically, I’m not good at hiding how I’m feeling.
Oh and I may swear. A lot. Like, running four swears together. You will find it funny and you are encouraged to laugh.

Often if I retell what’s happened, unless I’m in tears, I’m usually going for ‘making you laugh’. Mainly because, in the words of John McClane in Die Hard 2 ‘How can the same shit happen to the same guy twice?’… Only, Groundhog Day style.
There are many female grumps out there as examples, but in my retellings I am going for Perry Cox, James Acaster and Roy Kent type of humour. Also, I love nothing more than making people laugh, so there’s a good chance you laughing at my misfortune will break the bubble of anger too.

TIPS

Just that if I’ve started tapping on my collar and my skin starts to look red, draw my attention to it. There’s a good chance I don’t even know I’m doing it.

BACK TO THE MANUAL

ADHD – Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)

Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) occurs when an individual experiences intense, severe emotional pain in response to perceived rejection, criticism, or failure. This goes beyond simply disliking the experience of rejection, and the individual finds these feelings intolerable or excruciating rather than just unpleasant.

Very Well Mind

I think this is one of the worst, and most damaging, traits I have from the whole catalogue of ADHD signifiers. It’s not fun, it sucks! There’s a few different situations that can trigger RSD:

  1. Being ignored, overlooked, forgotten in a group setting.
  2. Being told I’m wrong. Not in general, because that would be egotistical, but it’s when I know I’m right in what I’ve done.

Examples

I once unfollowed an online ‘friend’ because we’d been talking about Crystal Maze. She’d incorrectly stated that the show would air on Fridays. It absolutely did not. I explained why she *perhaps* was incorrect.
She came back with a ‘you are wrong’.
Now, I knew I was right. My life growing up was so meticulous and routined that there was no way on earth that I’d 1. Be filming the show for my father and watching it, only to watch it again with him, 2. Be watching it live on a Friday.
This was because Fridays, we went food shopping. When I say “without fail”, I mean that when I was a baby and shopping happened of a morning, my brother was run over and in hospital. My dad continued to go, with my mum, food shopping.
Nope, Crystal Maze aired on Thursday nights when my dad completed a Littlewoods Pools Round. It’s the only day he worked (Thanks Thatcher), and the only way I could have watched it twice.

I spent about 30 minutes furiously typing. I even found proof (not hard with the internet) and then … I deleted it all. I didn’t see the point. However, the damage was done.
Yeah, most of you would never unfriend someone over that. But it had caused such a painful experience that I didn’t see another way forward.

In work I had to categorise things. I’d followed the instructions, I’d done the correct thing. However, I received one of the items back with a note saying that it was X, and the queue I’d placed it in was for Y (You’re not meant to send them back to the person either).
Only Y was the correct queue for X. Always had been. By that person agreeing with me that it was X, they were telling me they didn’t know that what I did was correct.
So, again, I followed work rules. I contacted their manager and explained what had happened, why it was incorrect and what the result could be. It was a relatively polite email considered my heart was pounding, blood was pounding in my ear(s) and I wanted to be sick.
Then, I got a reply. “Do not send it back to my advisor. I’m seeking advice.” … MY RJD was so bad at that point that I could no longer work and requested to take the rest of the day off. You’d perhaps think this would be the end of it?

I received another email upon next logging on, a screen cap of a conversation (the question omitted) in which the manager and someone else agree I’m wrong and that they’re going to send more items back to ‘teach me a lesson’. Which they had. four more items were in my basket and all I could do was put them back in the X queue.
Even now, reliving this, my chest is tight and my arms are tingling. My head feels fizzy and my mouth dry. Knowing I was right doesn’t change this, because I’m often told to leave it, get over it. However, I’m certain if I’d done the same thing, I’d be made to apologise (Monopoly and Scrabble)

WHAT THIS MEANS

  • As the intro suggests, criticism and rejection are rather painful for me.
  • If it’s a perceived rejection, I punish myself. I will isolate myself (something my mum used as punishment*) and I will often stop eating.
  • I can become tearful. Not necessarily because I’m sad, but more because I’m overwhelmed and frustrated.
  • I can become snappy.
  • I can become hyper-focused on a particular situation. Bring it up a lot. Like to the point of boredom a lot.

TIPS

  • If you need to tell me about something I’ve done wrong, think about why you’re doing it: for me to learn, you need help seeing my thought process, you’ve been asked to. Fine, that’s great. However, make sure your language reflects that. Reason being is that if your intention isn’t clear, I will begin to spiral and become reflective.
    If you’re needing help to resolve it, I need a clear question or instruction so I can focus on that. I always want to help, love to help.
    If you’re doing it to just point out something I’ve done wrong, please just punch me in the face because I can tell you know, it would hurt much less.
  • If it’s movies, tv or anything pop culture. Just don’t bother. People have learnt the hard way that you cannot correct me on that shit!
  • This is a big one. Please talk to me at some point after you’ve brought anything like this to my attention. Just to reassure me that you’re not mad at me for causing you more work.

BACK TO THE MANUAL

Road House (2024)

Take it Outside

Rating 15
Length 2h01
Release 21.03.2024
Director Doug Lyman
About Ex-UFC fighter Dalton takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse, only to discover that this paradise is not all it seems.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Trailer:

The Good

There’s a few funny scenes as a result of Jake Gyllenhall’s blend of violence and zen. If you do watch, just wait for Kokomo! Best scene in the movie.

Jake Gyllenhall, while not my cup of tea (My inner AJ Rimmer will not let me swoon on someone that buff), he does have that smile and charm to hold the film… for five or so minutes.

The Bad

The plot is lazy and stupid.

The Ugly

The filming is nauseating when it comes to the fight sequences, of which there are many. This film has a massive stiffy for Hardcore Henry (2015) so any time Dalton puts up his dukes, we get all POV with our cameras. It is horrific and the fact that it opens with a POV shot, with dodgy CGI arms belonging to one Post Malone means I’m checked out straight away.

Conor McGregor. I cannot explain how bonkers his performance is. From his Terminator-esque opening to his manical smile, I didn’t know whether to laugh or bleach my eyeballs.

Final Thoughts

Ouch! And that’s not for all the punches.

Irish Wish (2024) Film Review

Be Careful Who You Wish For

Rating 12
Length 1h31
Release 15.03.2024
Director Janeen Damian
About When the love of her life gets engaged to her friend, Maddie puts her feelings aside to be a bridesmaid at their wedding in Ireland. Days before the wedding, Maddie makes a spontaneous wish for true love, only to wake up as the bride-to-be.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Netflix
Trailer:

The Good

Ed Speleers. I’m so sorry I overlooked your dashing looks and charm in the third season of Picard. It was Todd Stashwick, you understand?!
Open apology over with, it’s good to have him as one part of the meet-cute. He’s everything you would expect of a romantic lead.

It is a rom-com by numbers. It requires no thought and it does manage to leave you warm and fuzzy. Lyndsey Lohan may not have the effortless charm that allowed her to win over box offices in the naughts, but she still holds her own and gives a convincing growth to her character.

Dawn Bradfield steals the film as Saint Bigid, who grants Maddie’s wish and kicks off the main part of the film. Much like Puck in Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bradfield causes chaos with such joy, it’s hard not to wish she was in the film a little more.

The Bad

It just all seemed very messy for a rom-com by numbers. It takes a little too long to get to the ‘switch’ and by then, the sparks are already flying between Maddie and James that you wonder if there was another way of plotting this.

The Ugly

It makes one fatal flaw that will prevent this from being up there with some of the best. The third in the triangle *can* be a douche, there’s no problem with that. However, you cannot really have him be a douche and still let him get the happy ending that he does.
By having smarmy Paul marrying one of the lead’s best friends as part of the set up really makes the ending shitty when he’s not seen for who he really is.
The addition of Jane Seymour in just a disconnected role doesn’t help matters

Final Thoughts

Messy, but requires no effort. A charming film, but not a classic.

Damsel (2024) Film Review with Spoilers

This is not a fairytale.

Rating 12
Length 1h37
Release 05.06.1998
Director Frank Coraci
About A young woman agrees to marry a handsome prince — only to discover it was all a trap. She is thrown into a cave with a fire-breathing dragon and must rely solely on her wits and will to survive.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Netflix
Trailer:

The Good

Shohreh Aghdashloo is the Alan Rickman of female voices. It’s hypnotic and enchanting, so it’s no surprise that she is the perfect choice for the dragon. Yes, each time she speaks you will be fearful. However you will also wonder why anyone puts up a fight.
Speaking of which, the design of the dragon is incredible. It’s clearly CGI, but because of the design you won’t mind so much.

Buttercup is all grown up and on the dark side. I know people who watched House of Cards know that Robin Wright is no stranger to the questionable side of morality, however seeing her return to the genre that made her an icon. Her talent is seen when she goes toe to toe with Angela Bassett

The Bad

The character of Elodie. Millie Bobby Brown does an incredible job with the what the script and story gives her to work with and there’s no questioning her acting ability. However, the problem is that the character is not given much to do outside of hiding, screaming and crying.
Even the things that they do give her, appear only as and when the plot calls for it. For example, towards the end of the film Elodie is shown to be inventive yet despite plenty of opportunity to show this in the opening act, they film doesn’t sew those initial seeds.

The Ugly

The massive fucking plot hole of the girls being of royal descent and the pretence of marriage. The big problem being that this is all hanging on the fact that the dragon they’re being sacrificed to has great fucking smell.
Or rather, she doesn’t?!
Is the film trying to say there’s some transubstantiation that takes place during the marriage that makes Elodie’s blood ‘royal’, or is that so they’re technically not lying when they make their offering?
Is it really just the palming off of a squidge of blood that convinces the dragon?! Even long after Elodie’s bled from other wounds that will clearly be her own? That dragon is not that stupid, that’s not how blood works and surely words going to get around that they’re holding multiple weddings?!
Get to the talk sooner, have the dragon wake the fuck up and realise she’s being conned and then have the third act be them working together instead of what becomes a quick wrap up.

Final Thoughts

Excellent cast, but a garbage script. It’s worth a watch, but it won’t be making anyone’s regular viewing cycle.

The French Connection (1971)

Doyle is bad news – but a good cop.

Rating 18
Length 1h44
Release 18.01.1972
Director William Friedman
About New York City cop Doyle and his partner are trying to bust a drug cartel based in France. Albeit short-tempered, Doyle is a dedicated cop whose nemesis, Alain Charnier, is too polished for a criminal.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good

Much in the same way Detective Peralta was inspired to join the force on the back of Die Hard, I could imagine John McClane being inspired by Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle.
The character operates in the shades of grey and you can very quickly tell, it’s the only way to operate in the grime and challenges of 70s New York City. I could not imagine anyone other than Gene Hackman playing this ambigious role. Most of his great performances involve a flawed character.

For the time, this was considered fast paced. Oh how long for this standard, instead of the nauseating blurs of CGI we get today. Most younger viewers have been conditioned with the car chases of franchises, not least of which is Fast and the Furious.
However, those who truly love film will be able to appreciate the technical skill required for the chase sequence in this film. It’s simple, the cars keep to speed limit that doesn’t invoke the sound of NOS and yet it will still have your adrenaline pumping.

The Bad

The fact that this film has a sequel. Even though, I’ve not seen it, the ambiguity of that final scene is undone just from the knowledge that the sequel exists. Much in the same way there’s no sense of jeopardy in Marvel’s Black Widow because she’s present in films that take place after BW.

The Ugly

I know what the film was trying to achieve with the semi-hand held free movement of the camera; it compliments the tone by giving that pseudo documentary style of filmmaking. However, at times it really made me sick to my stomach.

Final Thoughts

It’s not a film I personally would watch for entertainment. However, I also recognise that this film walked so many crime based films and shows could run.

Blazing Saddles (1974)

Mel Brooks’ comic saga of cowboys and imbeciles.

Rating 12
Length 1h33
Release 23.06.1974
Director Mel Brooks
About Hedley Lamarr, a corrupt politician, hires an African-American man as the sheriff of a small town to drive its residents away, but his plan backfires when the townspeople take a liking to the sheriff.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC Iplayer
Trailer:

The Good

Gene Wilder was an excellent choice and last-minute replacement for Jim. His relationship with Bart is what the film needs and they truly work together. As always, Wilder is on form with his comic timing.

I saw that Richard Pryor was briefly considered for the role by Brooks, however Pryor’s substance abuse was rather public at the time and so the studio vetoed the choice.
For me, I’m rather glad of studio meddling for once. It meant that we got an incredible and much more understated performance from Cleavon Little. There’s no question, Little carries this film effortlessly.

On the whole, the film is funny while actually broaching some serious social issues. Those without an understanding of satire may incorrectly see the film as ‘racist’, however the film is asking you to laugh at the ridiculousness of hate.

With it being one of Brooks’ early films, there’s not so many references that rely on a person having knowledge of the time in which it was made. As much as it pains me to say this, Blazing Saddles is a much better movie than the Cary Elwes led, Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993).

The Bad

Yeah… you all bigged up that farting scene way too much. It cannot live up to the way people talk about it. In a world in which we have a film that has two women playing “battle shits” in the college dorm bathroom, the impact of this monumental cutaway scene has greatly reduced.
Not helped by the fact that I’m sure I’ve scene the whole scene play out on no less than 3 ‘best of’ countdowns. It just felt a little ‘that it?’

The dude named Mongo. It’s a personal thing, but to name a character coded as slow and stupid Mongo feels so painfully ‘nudge-nudge, wink-wink’ on the nose.

It’s alway good to see Santa in something, anything, other than Santa Clause: The movie (1985).

The Ugly

The film goes a little too meta at the end for me with the escaping the world of the film, to the behind the scenes. Then it goes and doubles down by going to watch the ending of the film in a cinema on the studio lot.
I’m sure Mel Brooks had that planned from the outset, but it comes across to me as if the story ran out of steam and this gave the film an ending.

Final Thoughts

It’s a film I’m going to wait a while to revisit, but I am glad I finally understand what all the fuss is about.

Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken (2023)

Discover the hero just beneath the surface.

Rating PG
Length 1h31
Release 30.06.2023
Director Kirk DeMicco
About Sweet and awkward 16-year-old Ruby Gillman is desperate to fit in at school, but she mostly just feels invisible. She’s prevented from hanging out with the cool kids at the beach because her over-protective mom forbids her from getting in the water. When she breaks her mom’s rule, Ruby discovers that she is a descendant of the warrior Kraken queens and is destined to inherit the throne from her grandmother. The Kraken are sworn to protect the world’s oceans against vain, power-hungry mermaids.
Moon: full moon seen at multiple times
Where to Watch: Now TV
Trailer:

The Good

Following in the footsteps of Disney’s Seeing Red, this film looks at the turbulent time of going from childhood to adulthood.

The characters are pretty cool, and I love the subversion of expectations: making the Kraken good and the mermaids evil.

It’s good to have Jane Fonda and Annie Murphy within the voice cast. There’s something distinctive and soothing about Fonda’s voice and Murphy’s work as Alexis in Schitt’s Creek makes her perfect for the popular student, Chelsea.

The Bad

For a Dreamworks production, there’s something missing. The quality of both the animation and story just don’t reach the quality of any of the other franchises from this company.

The Ugly

The biggest problem is that the opening is told by an omniscient narrator who also happens to be the protagonist, Ruby, and doesn’t know she’s a kraken until half way through the film.
It just puts the audience at odds with the narrative. We already know she’s a kraken because of the title, then the opening tells us too… but then the film plays dumb. It sucks.

Final Thoughts

I don’t regret watching, but I really did find it lacking.

Upgraded (2024)

You’ve been upgraded!

Rating 15
Length 1h44
Release 09.02.2024
Director Carlson Young
About An aspiring art intern is invited on a last-minute work trip to London, where she meets a handsome stranger.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Exclusive
Trailer:

The Good

Riverdale alum Camila Mendes proves yet again she’s lead material by following high school rom-com love letter to Clueless (Do Revenge) with a rom-com of a more grown up affair. She’s born for the rom-com and has easy chemistry with everyone.
She also provides the audience with a charming, hard-working, character who you want to root for.

Anthony Stewart Head, a man who had my heart from the moment he slammed that book down in front of Buffy in Sunnydale’s Library. It’s safe to say that he is a wonderful addition to anything in which he’s in (and I mean that! audiobook, tv, film and even theatre).
This is no exception. Head plays a scene-stealing artist that is able to see Ana for who she is.

The film follows a trusted romantic story arc, without delving into the darker side of what essentially boils down to fraud, and it doesn’t mind diverting itself away from some of the more obvious choices.

The Bad

I would have like to have had both Ana and William have more friends around them. Yes, Ana has her work friend who is great, but she’s only ever used to move the plot along.
There’s no way William, with that upbringing and parties, doesn’t have a group of friends who would cheer him on, or thwart his romance.

The Ugly

The ugly step-sister trope.
Yup, utterly stunning assistants; rotten to the fucking core! They’re panto-level horrible and I’d love to replace them with something a little more nuanced. Or subtle.

Final Thoughts

A pretty decent, and much needed, rom com with a lead who will hopefully give us many more over the coming years.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) Film Review

Heroes aren’t born. They’re mutated.

Rating PG
Length 1h40
Release 31.07.2023
Director Jeff Rowe & Tyler Spears
About After years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtle brothers set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers. Their new friend, April O’Neil, helps them take on a mysterious crime syndicate, but they soon get in over their heads when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.
Moon: full moon at multiple points
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime – with Paramount subscription
Trailer:

The Good

The animation is stunning. Since Spiderverse, other companies have really upped their game when it comes to having a unique animation style.

The characterisation of the quartet is perfect. The turtles are no longer identified by their coloured mask, but each of the brothers has an individual body type that reflects their personality.

Love that the film oozed easter eggs; it was most definitely written by my kind of people who loved the original cartoon tv show. They don’t overwhelm, so people new to the franchise will not feel alienated. Instead they add value to those of us who loved the show growing up.

The soundtrack is amazing.

The Bad

There are some pop culture references that *may* date this film in years to come. While calling the boys “Shrek” will linger, some of the others might not.

The Ugly

Yet another origins story. Bit like the death of Batman’s parents or Uncle Owen, I really would love a TMNT incarnation to forgo the mutation beginnings of our heroes in half shells.

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed this film, but more than anything it has me craving the original tv show.

Witness for the Prosecution (1957) Film Review

Rating U
Length 1h56
Release 30.01.1957
Director Billy Wilder
About A lawyer is troubled when a supposedly conscientious woman testifies against her husband. However, the motives behind her testimony put him in an ethical dilemma.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good

Charles Laughton, best known to me as Henry Hobson in Hobson’s Choice, is an absolute cantankerous delight as barrister Sir Wilfred Robards, pulled into a court case against Doctor’s orders when his nurse confiscates his cigars.
It’s very rare to have the gravitas Laughton has, and give the range of humour, vulnerability and anger that he does. He’s perfectly cast and carries this film, from start to finish.

Elsa Lanchester, Laughton’s real life wife, as Miss Plimsoll is the perfect addition to the original Agatha Christie plot. The chemistry and bickering between the two is some of the bests scenes in the film and I do actually wish she was in more.

There’s some beautiful shots in the film, particularly the Oxford Street establishing shot in which the reflection of the road, the bus and the crowd is seen while Mrs French is trying on hats in the shop.

The Bad

I disliked the Vole flashback showing how he met Christine. There’s no chemistry between them and the scene is rather clunky. After also having such extensive flashbacks with Mrs French, it may have been better to have Vole in the present relay the information.

The Ugly

The decoration of Mrs French’s living room with African art gives away more about her than perhaps we would like? It’s established that she’s wealthy; that’s the motive for murder. However, the African art could indicate a source of her money. It’s hard to not think this when appropriated art hangs like animal heads in a hunting lodge. It sucks.

By extension the anti-foreign sentiment is a painful reminder that xenophobia today is nothing new. Not only is it presented by many characters as a personal view “we should have an embargo on foreign wives,”, it’s expressed within the courtroom too.

Final Thoughts

An incredible film, and one all must watch but pales in comparison to another law-based Oscar contender for 1967: 12 Angry Men (1967).