Thea Sharrock's "WICKED LITTLE LETTERS"

Review by Dennis D. McDonald

In a small 1920s seaside English town, someone is sending obscene letters to the residents, causing horror among the citizens, including a straight-laced spinster living with her elderly parents. The chief suspect is a young, foul-mouthed and free-spirited Irish mother of a nine-year-old girl, who lives next door to the spinster.

The police, relying solely on hearsay and circumstantial evidence, arrest the young mother. A young Asian policewoman, who regularly faces discrimination from her male superiors, suspects that the Irish woman is innocent.

The movie blends farce, comedy, and satire. Although some parts are overly broad and obvious, it is a delightful antidote to the tidy, manor-born characters and refined drawing room mysteries typical of some British TV.

Olivia Coleman, as the spinster, and Jessie Buckley, as the young Irish mother, deliver superb performances. For the most part the film effectively balances its comedic and dramatic elements. It also employs a daring but occasionally unconvincing multi-racial cast, which may or may not accurately reflect a society still engaged in colonial domination and racial discrimination.

The production values of the film are outstanding. It vividly captures the atmosphere of a society still recovering from the horrors of World War I while trying to maintain civility and respectability amidst poverty and a changing world.

While I have reservations about its accuracy as a piece of social history, the film is an entertaining mix of comedy and drama. It navigates some serious topics, sometimes deftly and sometimes clumsily. Although it isn’t perfect and occasionally lapses into farce and sugarcoating, it is an engaging watch. Recommended.

Review copyright 2024 by Dennis D. McDonald