User Reviews

I had heard all about the children's books and probably seen them in the shops a few times, and I was definitely interested to see another screen adaptation of the story created and written by comedian David Walliams, and Christmas was the suitable time for it to be broadcast. Basically twelve-year-old Joe Spud (Elliot Sprakes) was once an impoverished boy, but his widowed father Len (John Thomson) invents a new kind of toilet roll, Bumfresh, and they have swapped the ordinary life for a mansion that is like a palace, complete with servants and anything they want. But Joe feels alienated by this new lifestyle, he tries to fit in at a regular school by keeping his his wealth a secret from the students, including best friend Bob (Nathan Waight), and from the teachers, he is also very wary about his father's new gold- digging girlfriend, model Sapphire Diamond (Catherine Tate). Unfortunately Joe's father reveals their wealth to everyone, in a very big fashion, with his identity exposed many greedy "friends" come begging to him, and Bob feels betrayed by his dishonesty, things get worse and their fortune slowly disappears when people are suing, as Bum Fresh makes their bottoms turn purple. In the end Len gets advice from temporary butler, Harry Potter actor Warwick Davis, he dumps Sapphire, he and Joe reconcile, as do he and Bob, and even though they have lost their fortune they find a new family when Len marries Bob's mother Julie (Coronation Street's Tupele Dorgu). Also starring James Fleet as Mr. Darrow, Humans' Rebecca Front as Miss Sharp, Keith Lemon: The Film's Harish Patel as Raj, Bryn Terfel and David Walliams as Mrs. Trafe. The cast are all well suited, Sprakes in his first role is great, Thomson is a likable rich buffoon, and Tate gets laughs being stupid, it is a simple and sweet story about how money is not everything and family is all you need in high and low times, children and adults alike will enjoy this fun family comedy drama. Good!

Honestly worst one yet I assume David Williams wasn't quite okay with this It follows the books storyline for about 10 mins And focuses on the effing history teacher No girl paid to love him The grubs are Bloody retarded and joe isn't even fat It Was absolute Sh-t I Repeat Sh-t But give credit to bbc. Don't watch. Save your self a few hours. Read the book. I have to eye the book a 10 but the film is a lousy 1 Ppppppppppppppp is a great way to get a new one is a very happy birthday my best to be able to see my baby sister is a very happy with the book was written for the first time since I've never had to go out with a new one for you guys should have the right way too long and the rest is history is not an easy to play the piano is not an easy to play the piano

David Walliams has certainly tapped into something with his books, he's bridging a gap that's been there for several years. The annual adaptations are always worth a look, last year's Gangster Granny topping the list of favourites for me, but this was certainly the usual mix of moving and funny.

Young Elliot Sprakes was definitely well cast as Joe. Other fine performances from Rebecca Front, John Thomson and James Fleet. Warwick Davies was brilliant, but Catherine Tate totally stole the show as Geordie Sapphire, reminded me a little of character Georgie from her sketch show, she is looking so good, what a pretty woman! Especially loved her scenes with Warwick.

Very watchable, lighthearted with a deeper meaning, last word on Mr Walliams himself, wasn't in it as much as I would have thought, but definitely enjoyed his scenes, he's definitely funny. 8/10