Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) is a repressed spinster, living with her mum and dad (Timothy Spall and Gemma Jones) in a terraced house in Littlehampton. The time is 1920's Britain soon after the first world war. For working class people these are tough times and many are living hand to mouth like Edith's fiery Irish neighbour Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley).
Someone is sending appalling letters through the post to residents, filled with foul language that would make many at the time blush. Edith's father is convinced that Rose, next door, is the culprit and goes to the local police station to report her and she gets arrested, all based on the fact that she shouts and swears a lot and spends time in the pub. Rose lives with her little girl and boyfriend (Alisha Weir & Malachi Kirby) and going to jail for a length of time just brings more hardship on the family, which is hard enough already.
Unbeknown to Rose she has someone looking out for her in the shape of policewoman Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) who has grave doubts about Rose's guilt and sets out to prove her innocence, although her male superior rejects her attempts and puts her down because women are of lower rank at this time in the century.
Thea Sharrock the director has a real eye for making this hugely entertaining comedy/drama just zip along and rarely does it flag.
There is an initial mystery around who is sending the letters but this does become apparent eventually to the viewer.
80% of the language spoken in the film was culled from the actual letters in this real life crime mystery so be prepared for some ripe swear words spoken by the two stars, Colman and Buckley.
The acting is faultless and there is a splendid array of British character actors on hand to give support including Hugh Skinner as a local constable, Eileen Atkins, Joanna Scanlan, Lolly Adefope and Jason Watkins.
The real joy is watching Olivia Colman's facial expressions, her scenes with the great Timothy Spall, which are quite telling and her interactions with the electric performance of Jessie Buckley who I think really steals the acting honours here.
Someone is sending appalling letters through the post to residents, filled with foul language that would make many at the time blush. Edith's father is convinced that Rose, next door, is the culprit and goes to the local police station to report her and she gets arrested, all based on the fact that she shouts and swears a lot and spends time in the pub. Rose lives with her little girl and boyfriend (Alisha Weir & Malachi Kirby) and going to jail for a length of time just brings more hardship on the family, which is hard enough already.
Unbeknown to Rose she has someone looking out for her in the shape of policewoman Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) who has grave doubts about Rose's guilt and sets out to prove her innocence, although her male superior rejects her attempts and puts her down because women are of lower rank at this time in the century.
Thea Sharrock the director has a real eye for making this hugely entertaining comedy/drama just zip along and rarely does it flag.
There is an initial mystery around who is sending the letters but this does become apparent eventually to the viewer.
80% of the language spoken in the film was culled from the actual letters in this real life crime mystery so be prepared for some ripe swear words spoken by the two stars, Colman and Buckley.
The acting is faultless and there is a splendid array of British character actors on hand to give support including Hugh Skinner as a local constable, Eileen Atkins, Joanna Scanlan, Lolly Adefope and Jason Watkins.
The real joy is watching Olivia Colman's facial expressions, her scenes with the great Timothy Spall, which are quite telling and her interactions with the electric performance of Jessie Buckley who I think really steals the acting honours here.