Keeping Mum Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A busy vicar hires a murderous housekeeper who solves all the family’s problems by, you guessed it, keeping them permanently mum!

🍿 Keeping Mum: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Vicar’s Struggles

Walter Goodfellow, a vicar in a quaint English village, is struggling to connect with his congregation and his family. He’s preoccupied with writing the perfect sermon, neglecting his wife, Gloria, and son, Petey, who is being bullied at school. His life feels increasingly chaotic and unfulfilling.

Gloria’s Secret

Unbeknownst to Walter, Gloria is secretly having an affair with her golf instructor, Lance. She feels ignored and unloved by her husband, leading her to seek affection elsewhere. However, Gloria harbors a dark secret from her past that resurfaces as the film progresses.

The Arrival of Rosie Jones

The arrival of Grace Hawkins (aka Rosie Jones), Gloria’s new housekeeper, marks a turning point. Rosie, seemingly sweet and helpful, has a deadly way of dealing with problems. She begins ‘cleaning up’ the family’s issues, starting with Petey’s bullies and Lance.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Walter Goodfellow (Rowan Atkinson): The well-meaning but oblivious vicar who is preoccupied with his sermons and unaware of his family’s troubles.
• Gloria Goodfellow (Kristin Scott Thomas): The frustrated wife of Walter who seeks affection elsewhere and ultimately embraces her mother’s methods.
• Grace Hawkins (Maggie Smith): The seemingly sweet housekeeper who is secretly a serial killer and Gloria’s long-lost mother, intent on solving the family’s problems through murder.
• Lance (Patrick Swayze): The sleazy American golf pro who has an affair with Gloria and tries to seduce her daughter, Holly.
• Holly Goodfellow (Tamsin Egerton): The sexually active teenage daughter who initially attracts unwanted attention but finds solace in cooking.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Grace Hawkins: “You know, that’s what my doctors used to say. It was the one point we could never agree on.” – Said in response to Gloria saying ‘You can’t just go ’round killing people just because you don’t approve of them!’
• Grace Hawkins: “Oh, you’re getting all of me.” – Said to Walter as he is attempting to figure out what exactly Gloria needs from him, trying to save his marriage.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $169,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,619,466
• Worldwide Gross: $18,586,834

💥 Keeping Mum Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely surprised by this movie! I expected a typical British comedy, but ‘Keeping Mum’ is so much more. Maggie Smith is absolutely brilliant as the murderous housekeeper, and the dark humor had me laughing out loud. The ending was a bit shocking, but in a good way! I especially loved the scenes where she advises Rowan Atkinson on his sermons, pure gold!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of British black comedy”
  • “Viewers who enjoy quirky, dark humor”
  • “Those who appreciate films with unexpected plot twists”
  • “People who like Rowan Atkinson, Kristin Scott Thomas, or Maggie Smith”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “A quirky dark comedy with a stellar cast, ‘Keeping Mum’ benefits from Maggie Smith’s deliciously wicked performance, but its plot veers into the absurd, making it a hit-or-miss experience.
• IMDb: “Charming British black comedy. While Rowan Atkinson delivers a surprisingly understated performance, Maggie Smith steals the show. The plot is a bit predictable, but the humor and performances make it a worthwhile watch.

Audience Reactions

Maggie Smith’s performance is outstanding!: Viewers praised Maggie Smith’s brilliant portrayal of the housekeeper.

The movie has very dark humour.: People enjoyed Rowan Atkinson’s work, but overall the dark humour was better.

Overall Consensus: A dark British comedy that succeeds thanks to its talented cast, especially Maggie Smith, although the plot can be a bit predictable.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is dedicated to James Booth, who played Mr. Brown, as it was his final film role before his death.”
• “The fictitious village of Little Wallop was primarily filmed in the Isle of Man and Cornwall, showcasing the scenic British countryside.”
• “Patrick Swayze’s role as Lance was a comedic departure from his more serious and romantic roles, allowing him to satirize his own image.”

🖥️ How to Watch Keeping Mum?

Keeping Mum is currently available for streaming on various platforms. Check services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies for rental or purchase options. Subscription availability may vary depending on your region. You can also find DVD and Blu-ray copies at major retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Keeping Mum, you might like these similar films:

• Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949): Shares the dark humor and British sensibility of a serial killer dispatching victims, but in a more classic, farcical manner.
• Serial Mom (1994): A suburban housewife takes deadly measures to deal with those who annoy or offend her family, showcasing a similar blend of dark comedy and crime.
• Arsenic and Old Lace (1944): Two charming elderly sisters poison lonely old men and bury them in their cellar, offering a darkly comedic take on murder with a quirky family dynamic.
• The Ladykillers (1955): A black comedy about a group of eccentric criminals whose plans are foiled by their sweet, elderly landlady.

🛒 Keeping Mum Related Products

• The Vicar of Dibley: The Complete Collection [DVD]: If you like Rowan Atkinson, this is a great series. This is the complete series on DVD of the show. It features the amazing Dawn French!
• The Best of Maggie Smith: This DVD collection is a must-have for every Maggie Smith fan, containing some of her most iconic performances. It showcases her incredible range and wit.
• English Village Life Jigsaw Puzzle (1000 Pieces): A beautiful and challenging jigsaw puzzle depicting a quaint English village scene. Perfect for relaxing and immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the film.
• Vintage Style ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ Poster: A classic British motivational poster that resonates with the film’s dark humor. A stylish addition to any room.

🎧 Soundtrack

Keeping Mum features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Did You Ever Wonder Why?” – performed by Dickon Hinchliffe and Cara Dillon

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Rowan Atkinson at goal (Movie title: Keeping Mum)

Check out this hilarious scene with Rowan Atkinson from “Keeping Mum!” His character’s antics on the golf course are pure gold, you’ll laugh for sure.

Keeping Mum

Ever wondered what “Keeping Mum” is all about? This short video gives you a great overview of the story and main characters. Honestly, it’s the perfect intro before diving into the film!

keeping mum – one of the best scenes

Wanna see what fans consider one of the best scenes in “Keeping Mum”? This clip is short, sweet, and hilarious – definitely worth a watch to see what all the fuss is about!

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