If you love your share of quirky British comedies, then you're in for a fairly fun ride with Wicked Little Letters. They could've done a better job with poster (something handwritten maybe, given it had to do with letters after all), but don't let that deter you from watching. The leading ladies - Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley (big fan!) and Anjana Vasan - are in exceptional form here.
The plot neatly delves into themes such as repression, hierarchy, patriarchy (in religion especially), and oddly enough, the sophisticated cursing style of the British, which I'm fascinated by. It is a whodunnit, but the reveals aren't exactly what startle. It's how director Thea Sharrock chooses to present the reasoning that intrigues me more. The supporting cast (especially, the ladies who join officer Gladys in her quest to unravel the mystery) is a lot of fun. I'd love to see Vasan's large, expressive eyes featured in more films, please.
All of that said, I definitely don't know whether in 1920s England, a police officer (who's presumably of Indian heritage) was frequently shunned because of her gender alone. India was still under British rule, and it is quite surprising to me that she's never denigrated by the British officers for her Indian roots. Also, a black judge in those times? Gimme a break. Don't get me wrong, the casting choices are laudable, but the anachronism is quite in-your-face. That cinematic gripe aside, I'd say I enjoyed it for the most part.
The plot neatly delves into themes such as repression, hierarchy, patriarchy (in religion especially), and oddly enough, the sophisticated cursing style of the British, which I'm fascinated by. It is a whodunnit, but the reveals aren't exactly what startle. It's how director Thea Sharrock chooses to present the reasoning that intrigues me more. The supporting cast (especially, the ladies who join officer Gladys in her quest to unravel the mystery) is a lot of fun. I'd love to see Vasan's large, expressive eyes featured in more films, please.
All of that said, I definitely don't know whether in 1920s England, a police officer (who's presumably of Indian heritage) was frequently shunned because of her gender alone. India was still under British rule, and it is quite surprising to me that she's never denigrated by the British officers for her Indian roots. Also, a black judge in those times? Gimme a break. Don't get me wrong, the casting choices are laudable, but the anachronism is quite in-your-face. That cinematic gripe aside, I'd say I enjoyed it for the most part.