We don’t deserve Olivia Colman, plain and simple. She is one of the most versatile actresses working today, capable of the lightest of comedies, the most heartbreaking of dramas, and the most mindblowing of Yorgos Lanthimos pictures. She’s a treasure. So, when Wicked Little Letters burst on the trailer scene, it became an immediate must-see. With Colman and Jessie Buckley leading a bevy of charismatic and talented performers in a plucky historical comedy, who could say no to that? Is Wicked Little Letters the prized parcel we deserve? Or should this poisoned pen letter be chucked in the bin?
Wicked Little Letters follows the drama when a number of obscene notes are delivered to the denizens of a seaside English hamlet. When a single mother (Buckley) is charged with the crime, the town is plunged into a quandary. Did she really write these “Wicked Little Letters”? Olivia Colman, Timothy Spall, Anjana Vasan, Gemma Jones and Joanna Scanlan co-star in the movie. Thea Sharrock directs the film from a script by Jonny Sweet.
Wicked Little Letters chronicles a rarely-told series of events and paints a vivid historical picture. Sweet’s handling of this complicated historical era is not only telling but also important. This story comes at a cultural crossroads. World War I has just ended, and suffrage is brewing. While the men in this story struggle, the women are surging and straining.
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This story brings together diverse and richly talented women to populate this world. On the surface, it’s idyllic. However, brewing beneath everything is an undercurrent of turbulence. The film is not afraid to turn a lens on society and look at how a person can be affected by the world around them.
From Edith Swan (Colman) to Rose Gooding (Buckley) and even Officer Moss (Vasan), each of these women has evolved to live in this world in their own way. They need to survive, and each has crafted different ways of passing through what is very much a man’s world. It’s difficult to call out one performance, but Colman, in particular, finds a heartbreaking and tragic way into a truly challenging character. Edith is a layered woman, but in Colman’s hands, it is possible to feel for her, warts and all.
However, this leads to rough tonal shifts, which won’t work for some. The film’s trailer is very careful to emphasize the striking comedic elements. As such, it can feel a bit jarring when Wicked Little Letters steps back from the humor in Act Two. Sweet’s script is at home in this world and knows these characters intimately. This isn’t simply a quirky comedy. This is a complex exploration of a moment in society.
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Beyond Buckley and Colman, the movie is packed with delightful supporting players. Anjana Vasan gives a star-making performance, especially once Officer Moss finds her voice in the second act. She combines beautifully with the likes of Eileen Atkins and Joanna Scanlan to craft memorable comedic turns. Scanlan, in particular, is guilty of stealing scenes. While she’s an actor this critic is not familiar with, her performance is pitch-perfect, and I’ll be looking for her in the future.
Heck, this cast is stacked. From top to bottom. Timothy Spall is inherently punchable as the film’s antagonist. We’re talking really easy to hate. Meanwhile, fans of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and The Windsors (among others!) should recognize Hugh Skinner. The young actor kills it in a role that could be thankless in the wrong hands. At the same time, fans of Ghosts (the UK edition) should also recognize Lolly Adefope in a period role that lets her step away from Kitty, and she’s clearly having a lot of fun.
It should come as no surprise that Wicked Little Letters can win over the most stone-cold heart. The historical comedy smoothly finds its footing thanks to a beautiful blending of heartfelt performances and a savvy script. This picture is sure to appeal to Anglophiles and film fans alike. Add this must-see to your lists.
Wicked Little Letters is now playing in theaters.
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