Mord im Pfarrhaus (2005)

Mord im Pfarrhaus: Directed by Niall Johnson. With Rowan Atkinson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith, Patrick Swayze. A pastor preoccupied with writing the perfect sermon fails to realize that his wife is having an affair, and his children are up to no good.

“Gloria (Kristin Scott Thomas) is a woman with problems. Her clergyman husband seems not to notice that sheu0026#39;s there, and she resents his job, her daughter is sex-mad and her son is being bullied, and she is deprived of sleep by the incessant yapping of the neighbouru0026#39;s dog. Then into her life walks an angel in the form of a new housekeeper, Grace.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThomas does very well with the central role in the film, Rowan Atkinson is absolutely brilliant as the mild-mannered clergyman Walter, and Maggie Smith is amazing as always as Grace.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis is not a side-splitter comedy but it is certainly a comedy, as it deals with a number of serious issues of religion and morality with a light touch. Primary among these issues is the age old question of u0026quot;whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings of arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing, end them.u0026quot; Gloriau0026#39;s approach to her u0026quot;sea of troublesu0026quot; is the approach of Job, and sure enough we hear echoes of this as Walter composes a sermon referring to the Book of Job. Grace has another approach.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eHaving a character who is a vicar enables the filmmakers to slip such Biblical references naturally into the script. It is a definite treat to hear Atkinson read the Bible (and in circumstances which make the viewer actually listen to what is being said!). Even with the Bible-reading, though, do not make the mistake of thinking that this is a film for young kiddies or prudes.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film is so deftly made that there is always a lighthearted tone no matter how dark the subject matter, and the acting ranges from solid to exceptional. Itu0026#39;s not the greatest film ever made but it is engaging and enjoyable.”