The Trouble with Jessica (2023) User Reviews

Great performances in this black comedy

[rosiecatherwood · 7/10 · 4 April 2024]

Put wealthy, middle aged friends with a past, plus a current financial problem, in a dinner party in Hampstead one evening and bring an unexpected guest who causes havoc. This film is funny, keeps you on the edge of your seat to see what happens next and the performances from seven of the key cast are wonderful - including Shirley Henderson, Rufus Sewell. Olivia Williams, Alan Tudyk (though he looks a bit orange throughout), Indira Varma, Anne Reid and Groth, the house buyer. The two policemen are fun too in almost Dogberry and Verges roles.

However, it feels a little like it should be (or was originally) a play. The action happens almost entirely in one (very large) kitchen and the ground floor of a house filled with fabulous art.

There is quite a lot of swearing but to me it seemed appropriate to our protagonists, given who they are and the situation they find themselves in. No spoilers!

This was a really fun evening's viewing - interesting predicament, some farce, some irony, lots of laughs, some soul searching and great perfomances - and I make a great clafoutis too!

Of course they would never have got away with it - DNA all over everything and wrong ligature - but I don't really care. Suspend disbelief and enjoy.

The Trouble with Jessica

[CinemaSerf · 6/10 · 6 April 2024]

A dinner party from hell or what? We quickly learn that hosts "Sarah" (Shirley Henderson) and husband "Tom" (Alan Tudyk) are having to sell their luxury home else face repossession. For some reason that seemed like a good reason to invite long-term friends "Richard" (Rufus Sewell) and wife "Beth" (Olivia Williams) round for food. It's the latter who throws a real spanner in the works by inviting the eponymous "Jessica" (Indira Varma). Let's just say that the hostess and this guest get on like a house that's already burnt down, and as the vino flows (tiny measures in huge great glasses) things come to an head that leaves the four with quite an headache. What now ensues might well have worked on stage, indeed the entire film has a theatrical style to it, but I found it all just a bit to hysteria-prone, contrived and over-dramatic. None of the actors are on especially good form, especially the lacklustre Tudyk and the script seems more determined to make sure each character gets their moment in the spotlight rather than designed to offer us something to laugh - or even smile at. On that front, there are the odd lines to make you titter, but just not enough of them to pass this feature-length more miss than hit sit-com. It will pass ninety minutes easily enough at Christmas on the telly, but nothing much more than that, sorry.

The Trouble With Jessica- Gets Messy

[krocheav · 3/10 · 5 April 2024]

For a film that is more in line with a stage play 'Jessica' manages to keep the action reasonably fast. Having said that, as its rather claustrophobic setting and premise gets deeper into its darker territory it can be felt to drag somewhat - think 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf'. While Virginia had the good sense to keep its heavy dialogue in a measured place 'Jessica' goes all out to be trendy and only wants to appeal to the modern cocktail generation, those who feel it's 'smart' to change the meaning of words in an effort to appear hip. Those who have tailored themselves to fit into these circles won't even notice the wall-to-wall swear fest.

Production values are polished enough, and performances are convincing, but the endless efforts to outswear each other may just leave some of the audience wanting to part with their company. Overall it's a revisitation of several Hitchcock themes involving what to do with the body of a guest who 'departs' during a dinner party involving a small group of old friends. Now sit back and watch the uncomfortable truths that leach out of each other's (secret) toxic personas and pasts.

Strictly for those that can take this type of approach.

Dubbing Fest

[crumpytv · 1/10 · 8 January 2024]

This is a contemporary drama and contains language and/or attitudes that some viewers, particularly those of a more mature generation, the Silent Majority, will find offensive.

I have often wondered what one of these modern dramas full of expletives would sound like if they were dubbed over.

Well, by chance the opportunity presented itself on a long haul flight as this film was featured even though it had not been on general release.

There was a dinner scene early on where it was impossible to understand what was being said because so many words were dubbed out. It continued throughout the film, a real profanity fest. It is supposed to be funny, well, I think it is, but unless you like laughing at profane exclamations it really isn't that amusing.

The central characters are well known and let down by a bad script. The two policeman are awful.

The late octogenarian and nosey neighbor (Anne Reid) signs off with the worst of profanities. What a milestone in the history of cinematography. Absolute class!!

The actual story line reminds me of Weekend at Bernie's, only that was funny.

Also, Fawlty Towers proved you can have a similar scenario without resorting to crude humour.

Sarah and Tom are in deep financial trouble. Their situation takes a terrifying nosedive with the shock-ing behavior of uninvited dinner guest, Jessica.

cool London satire

[ctmfxpy · 10/10 · 8 April 2024]

We went to see this movie not knowing what to expect partly because my girlfriend and I wanted to see Rufus sewell, who we love in various Netflix shows. It's a funny but dark comedy satirising the British middle classes. I don't want to give any spoilers; the story gets very intense right from the start. The characters are put in this crazy situation that escalates and they are pushed to their limits. The actors are brilliant and the music is great too. Recommended for a fun night out also because the film is 90 minutes so you can still have dinner or drinks afterwards. Lots to talk about too, makes you think what would I do.

A black comedy with a nice twist

[vnmjdcv · 9/10 · 10 April 2024]

Saw this at the Curzon in Knutsford and found the first 15 minutes rather dull and pointless. Lots of swearing and flirting at a middle class dinner party in a London suburb. Yawn.

But then BOOM!! Huge twist suddenly comes out of nowhere and the film takes on a completely different feeling.

Now we see the four main characters dealing with a desperate situation that can only be resolved one way. This is when the giggles come thick and first. I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud so often in a cinema. This film really tickled my funny bone. Not just through good old slapstick but by backing each character into a corner to see what lengths they will go to.

Layers are peeled off to reveal the vulnerabilities and hidden truths with an outstanding script. A nosy neighbour and some bumbling cops are also thrown in to further increase the comedic tension.

The only reason I couldn't give it a ten was the odd soundtrack that was a bit distracting and the rather wooden performance of Alan Tudyk.

Other than that, the best comedy I've seen in years.

LOVED THIS DARK COMEDY, funniest film i've seen all year.

[noodlesmyint · 10/10 · 15 April 2024]

From start to finish this film was a pleasure to watch. Hilarious cast ensemble and gripping plot, would recommend to anyone. Matt Winn has come up with a wonderfully statistical yet disturbingly relatable story. Rufus Sewel and Shirley Henderson make for a dynamic comic duo who left the audience roaring with laughter. A tale for our times. Exposes the lengths the British middle class would be willing to go to protect their reputation. Comments on the fickle nature of old friendships as well as the fidelity (or lack of) between spouses. Go with friends and relax with a glass of wine ( Rufus is pretty easy on the eyes!) Truly an enjoyable watch!

Dark comedy with witty dialogue

[vschickie · 10/10 · 15 April 2024]

If the all-star cast isn't enough to whet your appetite, then the witty dialogue will most definitely have you in stitches. At first, it's just a dinner party. As the night wears on, secrets are exposed, lies uncovered, and precious time is running out! Ms Moaning Myrtle is just fantastic as Sarah. She and her husband Tom, played by Alan Tudyk (of Resident Alien fame), host the seemingly innocent get-together. Rufus Sewell and Olivia Williams add to the fabulous cast as their dinner party guests but bring along an uninvited guest. If only a certain Sand Snake wouldn't put a wrinkle in their carefully laid plans. The friends find themselves in several comical predicaments as they try desperately to salvage the evening. The doorbell keeps ringing. Each solution escalates into further complexities. With everything on the line, and time running out, will they solve their problems, and finally eat that darn clafoutis?

I cannot wait to watch this again once it's available in the USA!