Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War (2000)

Director:

Ian Sharp

Writers:

Vernon Coleman (novel)
Malcolm Stone (adaptation)

Release Date:

31 January 2003 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

After her husband's death, woman starts looking for independence.

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Pauline Collins	...	Thelma Caldicot
Peter Capaldi	...	Derek
Anna Wilson-Jones	...	Veronica
Gwenllian Davies	...	Audrey
Sheila Reid	...	Joyce
Frank Mills	...	Leslie
Frank Middlemass	...	Bernard
John Alderton	...	Hawksmoor
Isla Blair	...	Matron
Paul Freeman	...	Jenkins
Martin Jarvis	...	JB
Tony Robinson	...	Nick Reid
Terence Rigby	...	Henry Caldicot
Wanda Ventham	...	Victoria
Angela Bruce	...	Gina

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Fujicolor)

Certification:

Finland:K-7 | UK:12 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

UK

Company:

Evolution Films

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In the scene where everyone is watching the TV interview from the hotel room, there is a reflection in the silver serving trays of the studio lighting rig. Something moves back and forward, possibly a boom mic.

Soundtrack:

WE'LL GATHER LILACS

Cabbage

Pauline Collins, who shone so brightly in Shirley Valentine, fails to rescue this lamely scripted and poorly acted British comedy. The plot concerns Mrs Caldicot, a widow who is tricked out of her house and into a retirement home, where she is sedated and forced to sign over her property to her son.

She soon realises that she and her fellow residents, who are also sedated to keep them quiet, are being treated unfairly and foments a rebellion against the home's smarmy manager.

But this comedic take on One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is mired in pantomime-quality acting and naive plotting in which old people are never disorientated or distressed, and journalists pay for scores of pensioners to be put up in a country house hotel.

I have no idea what Vernon Coleman's novel was like, but it is unlikely that the set decorator who adapted it made many improvements.

It made just £16,400 at the British box office. I would be surprised if most of those who parted with their money did not ask for it back.