Wicked Little Letters

 

      Based on a 1920's true scandal, this black comedy is a period piece that follows the investigation of crude and insulting letters sent anonymously to various residents of a small English town. 

      At first a number of letters are only sent to Edith Swan (played by Olivia Coleman), embarrassing Edith and enraging her domineering, controlling and religious zealot father, Edward Swann (played by Timothy Spall) but soon other residents of the town start to receive letters as well.

      Edith and her father are convinced the author of the letters is their next door neighbor, Rose Gooding (played by Jesse Buckley), a single mom who smokes, drinks and swears openly and is living "in sin" with her boyfriend, Bill (played by Malachi Kirby). With just the accusations and little hard evidence, Rose is arrested for libel. PC Gladys Moss (played by Anjana Vasan) is the only one who thinks Rose may be innocent but being the only woman on the town police force in 1920, her suspicions are ignored.

     The film also co-stars Gemma Jones as Edith's mother, Victoria, Joanna Scanlan as Ann, Lolly Adefope as Kate, Eileen Atkins as Mabel, Alisha Weir as Nancy Gooding, Hugh Skinner as Constable Papperwick and Paul Chahidi as Chief Constable Spedding. 

     It's a wonderful cast anchored by the marvelous Olivia Coleman, Jessie Buckley and Timothy Spall. It's a comedy of very bad manners (with a serious undertone) that is very enjoyable. Be warned though, the language is deliberately most foul.