Janice Beard 45 wpm (1999) (TV)

Director:

Clare Kilner

Writers:

Ben Hopkins (writer)
Clare Kilner (writer)

Release Date:

29 October 1999 (Italy)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

72% of Office Romances end in disaster. This started as one...

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film | Number In Title | Character Name In Title

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Eileen Walsh	...	Janice Beard
Patsy Kensit	...	Julia
Rhys Ifans	...	Sean
Sandra Voe	...	Mimi
David O'Hara	...	O'Brien
Frances Grey	...	Violet
Zita Sattar	...	Jane
Amelia Curtis	...	June
Mossie Smith	...	Dolores
Sarah McVicar	...	Tracy
Eddie Marsan	...	Mr. Tense
Perry Fenwick	...	Mr. Button
Maynard Eziashi	...	Clive Morley
Robbie Barnett	...	Janice's Father
Jean Murphy	...	Midwife

Also Known As:

Janice Beard (USA)

Runtime:

81 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | France:U | UK:15

Company:

Arts Council of England

Soundtrack:

Listen to Me

Light and enjoyable if not fantastic

Janice lives with her housebound, agoraphobic mother and has done all her life since her father died in childbirth. However in her twenties she decides to go to London to get money to save for treatment for her Mum. However the reality of office life is a lot different and her job is petty and stressful as she helps prepare for a major car launch. However a romance with postman Sean appears promising.

One of many British films that simply go right under the cinema radar. This may have failed because it is similar in basic style to Bridget Jones and other comedies without being as well cast or as well hyped. Also it's not quite as funny as those that have hit big. The plot is a little wacky for the first half as it is Ally McBeal-like in it's wit and content. It's funny in little things like Janice making up stories etc. The actual plot is industrial espionage and is daft but doesn't really spoil a light funny film.

It may not all be that good but mostly it's lightly enjoyable – not trying too hard but just ticking over. Walsh is very good as Beard and Kensit is very sexy and very good as Julia, at least until her walls come, unconvincingly, crumbling down. Ifans is on auto-pilot but has fun and the rest of the office cast are well used and spot on for the most part.

Overall this isn't superb but it is lightly amusing in it's own way. No-one should hold out hope for the pot being amazing but it is enjoyable. Worth watching once.