John Mortimer is better known for Rumpole but this is a different kind of court comedy. Peter Sellers plays a somewhat unique character for him, he isn't remotely over the top as Morganhall the barrister. Even when things go wrong for his character, it is carefully understated. Richard Attenborough plays the defendant on trial for murdering his wife played by Beryl Reid.
The funnier moments are the flashbacks of Mr Fowl's home life with his wife after they take in the lodger played by David Lodge. It's not clear why Mr Fowl decided to marry someone so totally different to him to the point where he hopes his wife will leave him but there it is....
Also good are the mock court preperations Morganhall and Fowl have while brainstorming their defense. The climax is actually quite sad and probably more relatable to most when we see Morganhall during the actual trial. He was after all waiting years for a case like this, too much time to think about it before it comes.
It isn't an outlandish or over the top screwball comedy. It is actually pretty quiet and small but entertaining.
The funnier moments are the flashbacks of Mr Fowl's home life with his wife after they take in the lodger played by David Lodge. It's not clear why Mr Fowl decided to marry someone so totally different to him to the point where he hopes his wife will leave him but there it is....
Also good are the mock court preperations Morganhall and Fowl have while brainstorming their defense. The climax is actually quite sad and probably more relatable to most when we see Morganhall during the actual trial. He was after all waiting years for a case like this, too much time to think about it before it comes.
It isn't an outlandish or over the top screwball comedy. It is actually pretty quiet and small but entertaining.