If a tree falls in the forest, and no-one hears it, does it fall at all? And if a film is delayed so many times that nobody noticed it get released, does it actually exist? Edward Hall’s adaptation of the famously whimsical Noel Coward play seems to have suffered multiple failures to launch due to the on-going pandemic, and it’s something of a surprise to find out that it appeared on Sky back in January, and is released in the US this week. Of course, Blithe Spirit had previously been scheduled for UK release in May, September and December 2020, so by the time it finally hit our screens, the makers and publicists were probably as tired waiting as the audience was.
Then again, it’s 75 years since the last cinematic version of this story, 1945’s David Lean version with Rex Harrison and Constance Cummings, so a do-over was probably a timely idea on inception.Comedy is a rare commodity these days, so we press on in search of rewards. Back in the day, Dan Stevens is the feckless Charlie Condomine, who unwisely invites eccentric spiritualist (is there any other kind?) Madame Arcati (Judi Dench) to his luxurious home. Charlie is a struggling writer; struggling because his ex-wife Elvira (Leslie Mann) did all the heavy lifting for him until her death. Charlie is now married to Ruth (Isla Fisher), but the medium’s involvements allows Elvira back into the writer’s life, and mildly comic complications ensue.
Mildly comic is about right; Blithe Spirit looks modern enough, but the set-pieces are decidedly old hat. What’s the problem? Stevens is an effective light comedian as seen in Eurovision: A Fire and Ice Saga, and manages to make Charlie amusingly prissy, while Dench clearly enjoys unleashing her inner Margaret Rutherford as the irascible Arcati. But neither Mann nor Fisher seem comfortable as the two women in Charlie’s life, and the result ends up feeling strained, stuffy and tiresome.
Blithe Spirit seems to be trickling out into the handful of available theatres in the US this week, and is worth a review even though it’s not great. It’s a screwball revival with a good cast, which might work for older audiences keen to see a bit of Olde English farce. Not a disgrace to the original, Blithe Spirit feels wildly out of touch with audience needs in the midst of a deadly pandemic, and yet it might just win a few fans by offering alternative, light-hearted viewing at a sombre moment in our times. The DVD below is listed on Amazon as being further delayed until circa May 2026, so most of us will be lucky to live to see it without the aid of a medium.
Seen Mann and Fisher in enough comedies to know they are not naturals in the genre. Glad to hear it’s out. I would have seen it if it had been on at the cinema. Looked lively enough.
Wouldn’t rush. Fisher was best in Confessions of a Shopaholic, but this film really needed two actresses to give it a lift, and Mann and Fisher seem too buttoned down….
My Mum was in the stage play back in the day when Am-Dram was a huge thing up North. So I don’t neeed to see this having sat through many rehearsals of it as a kid. It didn’t really need a remake. Don’t know that Dan Stevens guy, new to me but I don’t like the cut of his gib, so this is a Nope from me.
Sigh. Was it any good when your mum was in it?
Yes but I was 7 or 8 so would have thought so whether it was or not.
Who did she play? Judi Dench? Isla Fisher? The ghostly Leslie Mann?
Those are reall people who were not invented back then silly. Well Judi Dench was I suppose. She played Elvira.
Elvira? The mistress of the dark?
Um what are you on about?? Elvira Condominium or whatever the dead wife!
Ok, well, you can buy me a latte then since no-one ever asks you. And a cake too!
What kind of cake?
Just pick something nice from the display.
Maybe coffee cake? kill two birds with one stone so to speak.
No, don’t be killing anything alive, just some cake, or a caramac bar if they have one. Thanks.
Ooh caramac! Haven’t had one for years and I did like them. Wonder if they still make it.
Hope so!
By the time ’26 rolls around I’m not going to remember that this exists. Of course, I’ll be old by then too, so that might be the perfect time for me to watch it. Obviously not now, when I’m in the prime of my life and full of youthful vim and vigor…
Book it now to be on the safe side! Nice surprise when it arrives!
Good idea. Pay now, get it years later! What a winning combo 🙂
You can always send it back in 2035
I think their return policy is 30 days, for unopened stuff. So I’d have to buy it and hope I like it…
You won’t know for five years until it arrives!
I am not that big a fan of surprises. Unless it is of the free pizza variety.
Have you no pizza in the house?
We’re well stocked. But we had to pay for it. So definitely no free pizza in the house 🙁
Once you’ve paid for it, it’s free after that…
See, here’s the thing. I want an armored truck to drive up to our condo and 2 guys with sunglasses and guns to say “Sir, here’s your free pizza” and then hand over about 25 pizzas.
I don’t think that’s too much to ask. I even left out my requirements of a tank and a missile launcher. How much more reasonable can one get?
What is the purpose of this juvenile fantasy?
Free pizza? How many times do I have to say it?
Somewhat less that you have. What do you want me to do about it?
I don’t want you to do anything. Besides, no haggis pizza for me!
It’s so nice!
I think I’ll stick to pepperoni, thanks.
Well, sort out a nice monster drink and pizza, I’ll pick up the tab.
Dang, that sounds really good. Might have to have just that this weekend. Now, I have to survive that long, and it is only wednesday.
Getting through Wednesday is a key part of getting through the week. All downhill from there. Where’s that smile?
I think I left my smile at last Sunday….
You’re never alone when you can post comment on a review on a Noel Coward farce. Let’s see these gnashers! Those pearly whites! I know there’s a smile in there!
Scrolls are so BCE. I’ve developed this really useful thing called a codex.
Obviously this was meant as part of the thread below. You see where these fancy digital technologies get you? This would never happen on vellum.
Or codex?
A Filofax?
Older audiences, that’s me! I’ll probably catch this one when it’s on DVD. I don’t care for this newfangled “streaming” stuff that the kids are all talking about these days. I remember when movies were things you could put your drinks on.
You’re probably the perfect audience for this. Get your order in for May 2026, gives you something to look forward to. Never mind Possessor, Judi Dench is what you’re missing!
I’ll write it down in my day book. Just let me find a pen . . .
By the gramophone?
Never let one of those things into the house. But I found the pen. Now I just need to find a bottle of ink . . .
Or your feather?
Already got that ready. Just took out a pocket knife and sharpened it this morning.
Got enough parchment?
Might have to skin some sheep later, but should be good for now.
Have you got the scrolls?