Clothes in the Wardrobe (1993)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Waris Hussein

Writers:

Alice Thomas Ellis (novel)
Martin Sherman (writer)

Release Date:

20 December 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

Boy meets Girl in Egypt. Girl is profoundly affected and returns to England where she apathetically becomes engaged to the 'boy' next door...

Plot Keywords:

England | Egypt | Based On Novel

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Jeanne Moreau	...	Lili
Joan Plowright	...	Mrs. Monro
Julie Walters	...	Monica
David Threlfall	...	Syl
Maggie Steed	...	Mrs. Raffald
John Wood	...	Robert
Gwyneth Strong	...	Cynthia
Roger Lloyd-Pack	...	Derek
Catherine Schell	...	Marie-Claire
Lena Headey	...	Margaret
Padraig Casey	...	Nour
Britta Smith	...	Mother Joseph
Pierre Sioufi	...	Ahmed
Sherine El Ansari	...	Gypsy Girl
Annabel Burton	...	Margaret as a Child

Also Known As:

The Summer House (Australia) (USA)

Runtime:

79 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:PG | Argentina:Atp

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Quotes:

LILI: Your dog is making love to my foot.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hype! (1996)

Charming Catalyst

This story can take a bit of work in places, and needs your full attention, but it is worth it. There are scenes in Egypt that are not overly clear or explained but are responsible for the state of mind of the young bride in the story.

Through an acute case of apathy, Margaret has become engaged to the boy next door (David Threlfall). He is not however every mothers dream for her daughter in fact even his own Mother (Joan Plowright) is less than enthused about him on occasion.

The wedding is planned and guests start arriving in town. One of these is the exotic Lili (Jeanne Moreau), an old friend of the brides mother (Julie Walters). She spends her time prior to the wedding with Margaret and her mother and also reacquainting herself with the grooms mother (Joan Plowright). The latter objective having a little awkward history behind it.

The relationship that develops between these two veteran actors is a delight to watch. I have not seen Joan Plowright in anything where I haven't enjoyed her performance.

Lili has already decided that this wedding is a big mistake. Even the bride knows this. So steps should perhaps be taken to prevent it. The denouement brought about by Lili is magic, but then Lili is a most charming catalyst.

It would be easy to like this story simply because of the resolution that Lili brings to the problem, it is indeed unforgettable. But the movie is more than that. The title refers to Nuns habits. Literally. The custom was to wear one have one in the wash and one in the wardrobe. This is how Lili discovers what sort of bride Margaret really wants to be.

I found that I couldn't empathise with the bride in this story, how can you relate to someone who would allow themselves to marry the obnoxious Syl Munro (David Threlfall), but I revelled in the performance of Lili.

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