They don’t make films like this anymore. Well, obviously they do, because they made this one, but this kind of farcical, cartoonish British comedy is rarely seen these days except for in archaic sitcom re-runs and Wallace & Gromit animations. You half expect a bra-less Barbara Windsor to come jiggling round the corner shrieking “Ooh, saucy!” at any moment.
But for all its antediluvian stylings, Mrs Ratcliffe’s Revolution is surprisingly good fun. Catherine Tate is mid-way through a metamorphosis from Queen of British sketch comedy to vaguely serious player (via Doctor Who) and she gets to use both sides of her personality here – her comic timing is bang on the money, while a few scenes such as her teary breakdown in the car mid-way through the film prove she has some decent chops. Teeny Coronation Street actress Jessica Barden shines too, playing youngest daughter Mary, a dedicated little Commie spitzel who comes on like Lisa Simpson if she’d grown up in West Yorkshire rather than Springfield.
Unfortunately the lightweight watchability of the film is let down by the fact that the big, tense escape from East Germany it seemed to be promising never actually materialises. Things are all set up for an action-packed finale, then before you know it the credits are rolling and the house lights are up. The Great Escape, this is most certainly not. It is, however, a cheap and mostly cheerful hour-and-three-quarters that will find most favour with ex-pat Brits and the over 60s. See it with your Nan.
