5 Lesser-Known British Films That Are In Fact Worth Watching
Despite their moderate scores, these films make for delightful viewing.
While it seems that there are no bad British films, some of them don't get as much attention as others. In the case of these five movies, it should be a crime to not watch them – they're simply that good.
The Lady in the Van (2015, 6.7 on IMDb)
This biographical film tells the story of an elderly woman who lived in a van parked outside Alan Bennett's house for fifteen years. Starring the legendary Dame Margaret Smith, who you may know as Professor Minerva McGonagall from the Harry Potter series, the film explores the unlikely friendship between the renowned author and the homeless woman he cared for while pursuing his writing career in the 1970s and 1980s. It's a heartfelt and insanely powerful story to watch.
The Children Act (2017, 6.7 on IMDb)
Based on Ian McEwan's novel of the same name, the film follows Her Lordship Fiona Maye, a judge in the Family Division of the High Court of Justice of England and Wales. The character, played by Emma Thompson, must decide a case involving a soon-to-be-of-age teen, Adam, who is suffering from leukemia but refuses to undergo blood transfusion treatment because, like his parents, he is a Jehovah's Witness. As she makes this difficult decision, Fiona must deal with its consequences while also navigating her shattering personal life.
Keeping Mum (2005, 6.8 on IMDb)
Undeniably, this comedy is representative of the infamously dark British humor. Centering on the family of a small village vicar, the movie shows their family problems as the vicar doesn't pay enough attention to his wife who is having an affair, his daughter who is starting to explore her sexuality, and his son who is being bullied at school. To add insult to injury, an unknown and somewhat deranged woman shows up on his porch claiming to be his mother-in-law. Needless to say, the film is hilarious...
The Duke (2020, 6.9 on IMDb)
Starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren, this comedy-drama explores the infamous 1961 theft of the Duke of Wellington's portrait from the National Gallery in London. The film follows Broadbent's character as he attempts to blackmail the British government of the day into waiving the license fee for pensioners. Things don't go quite as planned, however, and the man gets himself in a lot of trouble.
About Time (2013, 7.8 on IMDb)
Created by Richard Curtis, the man who brought us Love Actually, this sci-fi dramedy centers on Tim Lake, a young man who inherits the ability to travel through time from his father. As Tim learns to use it to improve his life and find love and happiness, he also realizes that his decisions to rewind time affect the fates of other people. At once hilarious and serious, this movie is an emotional rollercoaster.