WICKED LITTLE LETTERS
Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Anjana Vasan, Joanna Scanlan, Gemma Jones, Malachi Kirby, Lolly Adefope, Eileen Atkins, and Timothy Spall
Director: Thea Sharrock
NICK
Wicked Little Letters is one cheeky little fucker of a film. The surprisingly funny and crass affair is headlined by the devilishly good Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley at their most raunchy. Colman, in particular, shines, with even just her facial expressions bringing on the laughter. The mystery may show its cards a little early in the film, but that can be forgiven as the “who” never feels like the point. Instead, just go for the ride of this sure-to-be crowd-pleaser. I’m not saying you need to see Wicked Little Letters, but some may think you’re a bloody wanker if you don’t.
ADRIANO
One can look at Wicked Little Letters and say, “Oh, look, another charming British comedy.” There is some truth to that. However, it goes beyond that to deliver more poignancy than I expected. Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley are both amazing (they always are), but I loved the whole ensemble. Each actor is committed to this bizarre story that intrigues and delights at the same time. The structure isn't completely sound, but with what lies at the end of Wicked Little Letters, it’s hard to not at least smile.
QUENTIN
For me, Wicked Little Letters was the surprise overachiever of 2023’s Zurich Film Festival. I’ve often been accused of not liking “lady movies,” but this cheeky little gem is raunchily (in language only) delightful. Admittedly, a charmingly crass Jessie Buckley alongside Olivia Colman simply doing what Olivia Colman does can cover for a lot of flaws, but it’s not like this easy-going mystery has many flaws to begin with. It may feel slight, especially pertaining to the mystery aspect, but it’s an enjoyably simple watch that ultimately entertains. Think of it as the movie version of a good “beach read.”
AMARÚ
Wicked Little Letters isn’t just the title of this darkly intelligent comedy, but it’s also the perfect descriptor for writer Jonny Sweet’s screenplay, which is tremendously mean-spirited and absolutely perfect. Each letter of every word is indeed a wicked vehicle for Olivia Colman to be hilariously devilish, Timothy Spall to be maddeningly curmudgeon, and Jessie Buckley to be delightfully crass. The rampant embarrassment of ignorance the script deftly weaves left me rightfully frustrated alongside standout Anjana Vasan’s “woman officer” Moss as she tries untangling a web of lies, deceit, and stupidity that is simultaneously gripping, infuriating, and hysterical.
PRESTON
Wicked Little Letters nestles itself quite nicely into the slightly-naughty-but-charming British comedy realm. Olivia Colman is perfectly cast, and Jessie Buckley, Anjana Vasan, and Timothy Spall are terrific here as well. Even though the acting is well done and the thematic messaging appropriate, with the addition of it being based on a true story certainly helping, I still found the film to be rather unremarkable. As bold as the story is meant to be, I wish that the actual production and editing was a bit more daring, although that may just be my Guy Ritchie fan showing.
This film was reviewed by Adriano, Nick, and Quentin as part of Bitesize Breakdown's coverage of the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and the 2023 Zurich Film Festival, respectively.