4 STAR RATING
Set in the roaring 20s, Wicked Little Letters is a hilarious period film that certainly had the cinema roaring with laughter. The acting was immaculate by all involved, and Olivia Coleman’s subtle facial expressions blew me away.
In this film, foul-mouthed women are a form of activism. The script makes reference to and jokes about many issues women of the time faced. But when women’s oppression explodes, it apparently bursts with asterisks and exclamation points!
Utterly hilarious and uplifting, the film speaks of friendship, ambition, and freedom. With fabulous sets, cleverly juxtaposed costumes, and a surprisingly funny script, it is truly a period film like no other. Fleeting moments almost feel like a parody they are that funny and silly.
Rose Gooding, played by Jessie Buckley, and Edith Swan, played by Olivia Coleman, are an unusual friendship, complete opposites yet there are hints of them both aspiring to be somewhat like each other. In the end, it seemed the victim felt a hint of pride towards the letter writer (my attempt at no spoilers) as if she finally opened the floodgates of becoming an individual and claiming her power, instead of living in the shadows and commands of men.
In the film’s final moments, a glorious outpour had the cinema crying with laughter. Never before, and probably never again, have I heard a group of strangers cheer and applaud at the word c*nt.
If you are shy to effing and blinding, this film is not for you. But if you want a good laugh with inspiring feminist undertones, grab your popcorn and settle in to the best comedy I have seen in a long time.
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