Get ready for a juicy tale of small-town drama, mystery, and maybe even a touch of feminism. Wicked Little Letters brings a long-forgotten true story from 1920s England to vivid life, thanks to a pitch-perfect period setting and a top-notch cast. Set in the quiet seaside town of Littlehampton, the film follows spinster Edith Swan, played to prim perfection by Oscar-winner Olivia Colman.
Edith’s world gets rocked when her vivacious new neighbor, the unconventional single mom Rose Gooding, becomes the main suspect after Edith receives a flood of obscene anonymous letters. Rising star Jessie Buckley bubbles with charisma and defiant energy as Rose, while Edith’s stern father is brought to life by Timothy Spall at his most comically authoritarian.
As a young female police officer takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of the mystery, the scandal exposes the hypocrisy and prejudice brewing beneath Littlehampton’s peaceful surface. Director Thea Sharrock whisks us back to the 1920s, evoking the era’s social turmoil through gorgeous costumes and lively jazz.
With humor and a few delicious twists, Wicked Little Letters sheds light on a fascinating real-life saga that makes the perfect setting for a battle-of-the-sexes dramedy. Led by an exceptional ensemble of British talents, this stylish and saucy trip to the past promises a jolly good time for period drama fans and lovers of charming true stories alike. So settle in, and get ready for some wicked fun!
Scandal Rocks a Sleepy Seaside Town
Our story takes place in the charming coastal town of Littlehampton, England in the early 1920s. We meet Edith Swan, a reserved and proper woman who still lives at home with her domineering father Edward and meek mother Victoria. Edith passes her days quietly, finding satisfaction in routine and her devout religious faith. Her world is upended by the arrival of the new neighbors, Rose Gooding and her daughter. Having recently lost her husband, Irish immigrant Rose comes to town seeking a fresh start. But with her carefree attitude, colorful language, and penchant for drinking and carousing, Rose represents everything that makes Edith uncomfortable. Still, she tries to befriend her new neighbor.
The tenuous friendship soon sours after Edith begins receiving crude anonymous letters at her home, each one more vulgar than the last. Assuming prudish Rose must be the culprit, Edith’s father marches down to the police station to condemn the harassment. The police quickly arrest Rose, seemingly unconcerned with gathering evidence or investigating further. Young policewoman Gladys Moss is the sole voice of reason, questioning if they may have the wrong woman. But her male colleagues dismiss her, and Rose is swiftly sentenced to jail time, while her frightened daughter is sent away to an orphanage.
With Rose imprisoned, the letters continue flowing into mailboxes all over town. More and more residents are targeted by the vile messages, sparking paranoia and attracting the attention of the national press. Sensing an injustice, Gladys covertly starts her own inquiry to identify the real letter writer. She finds an ally in the neighborhood women’s group, who pay Rose’s bail despite her sullied reputation.
Meanwhile, meek Edith seems to relish the scandal and media spotlight, carefully collecting the newspaper clippings about her shocking ordeal. But there are cracks forming in her facade, revealing a possible dark side. As Gladys chips away at the case, she begins to piece together the layers of resentment and hypocrisy long simmering under Littlehampton’s genteel veneer.
The truth finally comes spilling out in the dramatic courtroom scene where Rose stands trial, defiantly proclaiming her innocence. A last minute surprise witness tips the jury toward acquittal and sets the stage for the real culprit to unmask themselves in a tense final exchange with Edith. Without spoiling the twist ending, suffice it to say that things are not always as they appear on that tidy little street called Western Road. In the end, Wicked Little Letters reveals that even the most upstanding among us can harbor hidden jealousies and rage, while the bawdiest free spirit may have the truest heart.
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Beyond the Scandal, A Feminist Fable
While the mystery provides plenty of intrigue, Wicked Little Letters also has weightier ambitions examining the status of women in 1920s England. The film explores themes of repression, traditional gender roles, and the simmering tensions bubbling beneath the surface of propriety.
The main contrast comes through Edith and Rose, who represent two poles in the shifting landscape of British womanhood post-WWI. Timid Edith is the archetype of the spinster daughter, confined to her family home and the role of serving her father. Meanwhile, bold Rose pushes the boundaries of acceptable behavior for women, from drinking and swearing to having a child out of wedlock. Their unlikely friendship reveals Edith’s hidden desire for more freedom and excitement in her regimented life.
Yet when the letters begin arriving, these women turn against each other. The film suggests that their scorn comes not just from personal differences, but also the societal stigma and scrutiny weighing heavily on each. Both feel their womanhood being judged and criticized by the community.
As the scandal unfurls, it provides opportunities for female empowerment. Gladys seizes a chance to showcase her skills and challenge the men dismissing her professional capabilities. The neighborhood ladies band together in solidarity and cunning to aid Rose when the police fail her. For prim Edith, the shower of lurid letters becomes a warped way to express years of buried frustration.
Through this story, Wicked Little Letters slyly comments on a media that feeds on creating villains and victims, without concern for truth. It also critiques religious institutions for enabling the persecution of unconventional women who don’t fit the mold of a God-fearing lady.
Yet the film resists simplicity. Even as it exposes the hypocrisy in old social codes, it also shows how meaningful those communities and faith traditions could be for many, especially older generations. In the end, Wicked Little Letters celebrates moments of rebellion while acknowledging the comfort of convention – a nuanced portrait of an era in transition.
A Stylishly Crafted Slice of History
Beyond the story, Wicked Little Letters impresses with top-notch technical elements that vividly bring the 1920s setting to life. The production and costume design create a lushly detailed period atmosphere, transporting us to a quaint seaside English town straight out of a postcard. The ladies’ ornate dresses and feathered hats contrast the stern black suits of the town’s patriarchs, perfectly evoking the era’s gender dynamics. Cozy cottages and intricate sets draw us into a community that feels pleasantly intimate yet ripe for scandal.
A lively jazz soundtrack punctuates the action with mischievous energy. The brassy, toe-tapping music fuels the film’s playful spirit, while also grounding it in the cultural revolution of the 1920s. During emotional moments, the score swells with swooning strings, though the abrupt tonal shifts between melodrama and comedy sometimes feel disorienting.
At the heart of Wicked Little Letters lies the outstanding ensemble cast. Olivia Colman departs from her usual empathetic roles to play Edith as a complex bundle of bottled-up emotions masked by pleasant smiles. Jessie Buckley is an absolute force as Rose, commanding every scene with her boisterous charisma. Their chemistry, both as friends and foes, electrifies the film. Tim Spall nearly steals the show as Edith’s blustering brute of a father, while Anjana Vasan provides the moral compass as intrepid officer Gladys.
Director Thea Sharrock helms the period drama with a balanced touch, embracing the absurdity while also cultivating our investment in the characters. She pries at the tensions simmering beneath the village’s peaceful veneer. The reveal of the true letter writer lands with satisfying dramatic irony, rewarding sharp-eyed viewers while still delivering a compelling emotional payoff.
Some may find the melodramatic plot twists veer into camp at times. Yet the top-tier acting and technical polish carry this whimsical dramatization well, capturing the stranger-than-fiction real story in all its scandalous glory. Wicked Little Letters emerges as a hugely entertaining trip back in time.
Delightful Romp Through a Forgotten Scandal
Wicked Little Letters delivers a wildly entertaining visit to the past, unearthing a fascinating real-life saga of small town gossip and mystery. Though the plot careens between melodrama and comedy at times, the stellar cast keeps us invested in the characters beneath the hijinks. Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley especially shine, using the lurid story to explore the societal constraints on women in 1920s England.
The film breathes new life into this obscure slice of history with vivid style, cheeky humor, and a few delicious twists. While not always subtle in its social commentary, it touches on timeless themes of scandal-mongering media and religious hypocrisy. Wicked Little Letters remains timely today in the age of viral outrage and cancel culture.
Amidst the mischief, director Thea Sharrock ensures we feel the stakes for the women caught up in the scandal. The ultimate reveal serves up a satisfying dose of dramatic irony. While the over-the-top humor won’t be for everyone, the film succeeds on the merits of its talented cast and dazzling production design.
Is Wicked Little Letters a groundbreaking feminist fable or simply a saucy romp playing loosely with history? Perhaps a little of both. Either way, it makes for a jolly good time at the movies. Led by Jessie Buckley and Olivia Colman’s virtuoso performances, the film brings a forgotten footnote of women’s history to vivid and hugely entertaining life. For fans of period pieces and stranger-than-fiction true stories, it’s wicked good fun.
The Review
Wicked Little Letters
With its talented cast, gorgeous production design, and cheeky feminist spirit, Wicked Little Letters delivers a hugely enjoyable dramatization of a fascinating true scandal. Though uneven at times, the film brings history to life with plenty of humor and a few delicious twists. It's an entertaining, if imperfect, showcase for two of Britain's finest actresses.
PROS
- Excellent performances by Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley
- Vivid period detail in the production design
- Playful spirit and cheeky humor
- Fascinating true story brought to life
- Strong feminist undertones
CONS
- Uneven tonal shifts between drama and comedy
- Lacks subtlety in social commentary at times
- Over-the-top plot twists may not appeal to some
- Theatrical acting style won't be for everyone
