Dame Diana Rigg is as smooth as a glass of brandy, but don't let that fool you. She's intelligent and clever in the role of the thrice-divorced Mrs. Adela Bradley in the Mrs. Bradley Mysteries series. Adela solves mysteries in a variety of interesting places- from a haunted house to a lovely seaside resort- along with her sidekick/chauffeur George (Neil Dudgeon). Bradley has the best of advice and sarcasm to offer to those involved in her cases, and the audience too. The series of mini-mysteries is very enjoyable to watch- the 1930s period costumes, props, and cars bring out the best in this sexy, savvy series that keeps you on the edge of your seat in pure fun.
Reviews
3 Reviews
The Mrs Bradley Mysteries
(1998–2000)
Highly entertaining mystery series with a touch of class...
27 March 2004
Kiss Me Kate
(1998–2000)
Let's skip the kiss, Kate.
29 February 2004
Kate Salinger (Caroline Quentin) is a marriage and relationship counselor who seems to be able to solve everyone else's problems but not her own. Her flatmate, Douglas (series writer Chris Langham), works with Kate and is also in love with her. He makes it so obvious, we as the audience wonder how someone as intelligent as Kate could be so dense about it. Kate, on the other hand, is crazy about Douglas' brother, Ian, a doctor who changes girlfriends faster than he changes underwear. Kate seems oblivious to this as well. The only long-term couple on the show is Kate's secretary, Mel (Amanda Holden), and Craig, the downstairs computer geek (Darren Boyd). The series follows the ups and downs in Kate's life, and reveals her own imperfections and insecurities as she tries to help others with theirs.
"Kiss Me Kate" is a Britcom that features a quirky cast with chemistry and some hilarious situations, but at times Kate's condescending attitude and crass talk can be a turn-off. It's difficult to like her character; it's easier to feel sympathy for her and her friends. And the lovely, dark-haired Quentin proves that a woman doesn't have to be a size 4 to be talented and beautiful.
"Kiss Me Kate" is a Britcom that features a quirky cast with chemistry and some hilarious situations, but at times Kate's condescending attitude and crass talk can be a turn-off. It's difficult to like her character; it's easier to feel sympathy for her and her friends. And the lovely, dark-haired Quentin proves that a woman doesn't have to be a size 4 to be talented and beautiful.
Mrs. Winterbourne
(1996)
Fraser and MacLaine make 'Mrs. Winterbourne' watchable.
8 January 2004
'Mrs. Winterbourne' is a highly improbable take on the Cinderella "rags to riches" story about 18 year-old Connie Doyle (Ricki Lake), who finds herself enceinte, unmarried, and homeless. Her criminal rat of a boyfriend, Steve DeCunzo (Loren Dean), wants nothing to do with her or the baby. But fate has a better future in store for Connie, and the heavily pregnant girl finds herself, almost miraculously, on a train bound for Boston from New York. There she shares a compartment with a young married couple, Hugh and Patricia Winterbourne (Susan Haskell and Brendan Fraser), who are also expecting a little bundle of joy. But one little innocent action, followed by one horrifying accident, lands Connie in the hospital, mistaken for Patricia Winterbourne. She and her baby, who survived, are both whisked off to the massive Winterbourne estate in Boston. Connie decides to carry on the charade (it's almost ironic that her her name is Connie, since she's "conning" everyone) even after coming face to face with her coddling "mother-in-law" (Shirley MacLaine) and Hugh's twin brother, the cold and unfriendly Bill Winterbourne (also Brendan Fraser).
For a fluff film like this, the cast is surprisingly good. Loren Dean is convincing enough and makes you want to jump into your TV and strangle the jerk. The Winterbourne butler, Paco (Miguel Sandoval), is a delight to watch, especially when he's drunk. But Fraser and MacLaine really make the film worthwhile to see. Why either talented actor would want to participate in a film like this is a mystery to me, but maybe it's for the best. Fraser especially plays twins very well, and his transition from part antagonist to full protagonist is believable. But I have a difficult time understanding why Ricki Lake was cast as Connie. She has a tendency to overact in many scenes, she doesn't make a convincing 18 year-old at all (she was 28 when cast), and her transition from sharp-tongued teenager to polite young socialite bride-to-be is too fast and unbelievable.
Overall, 'Mrs. Winterbourne' is a good film for a boring Friday night. This is definitely a chick flick. It's heartwarming and the cast is a joy to watch. Just don't expect anymore than that.
For a fluff film like this, the cast is surprisingly good. Loren Dean is convincing enough and makes you want to jump into your TV and strangle the jerk. The Winterbourne butler, Paco (Miguel Sandoval), is a delight to watch, especially when he's drunk. But Fraser and MacLaine really make the film worthwhile to see. Why either talented actor would want to participate in a film like this is a mystery to me, but maybe it's for the best. Fraser especially plays twins very well, and his transition from part antagonist to full protagonist is believable. But I have a difficult time understanding why Ricki Lake was cast as Connie. She has a tendency to overact in many scenes, she doesn't make a convincing 18 year-old at all (she was 28 when cast), and her transition from sharp-tongued teenager to polite young socialite bride-to-be is too fast and unbelievable.
Overall, 'Mrs. Winterbourne' is a good film for a boring Friday night. This is definitely a chick flick. It's heartwarming and the cast is a joy to watch. Just don't expect anymore than that.
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