Movie Review: A Family Affair

One-liner: This edgy “Fawlty Towers” style comedy fails to ignite in spite of an inspired casting decision and the best intentions.

A Family Affair is a farcical comedy that attempts to capture the chaotic spirit of 1970s classics like Fawlty Towers. Populated by an array of eccentrics, this retro throwback immerses itself in the day-to-day survival of a hotel struggling to stay afloat following a flurry of negative reviews. With failing amenities and a questionable reputation as a “spiritual retreat,” the bank is threatening foreclosure. The owners are forced to put the property up for public auction – a crisis that unfortunately coincides with their parents’ 40th anniversary.

Misunderstandings and misadventures quickly become the order of the day. Fawlty Towers worked because of the madcap energy of its farce, tied to a judgmental manager who felt he could handpick his guests despite needing the business. The situational comedy relied on mismanagement, faux pas and the friction between an overbearing wife, a clumsy waiter and a bumbling set of permanent residents.

While A Family Affair is loosely modelled on this arrangement, it centres on Joe Wilkinson, a stand-up comedian known for his old school vibe and hilariously dry, deadpan delivery. In trying to keep the show on the road, his performance is downplayed, deferring the high-strung, manic energy of John Cleese. This choice makes the production feel somewhat subdued, not leaning into Wilkinson’s deadpan humour, when it would have benefited from raising the stakes to breaking point. Having Wilkinson at the helm makes the prospect enticing, yet the film never quite threatens to dethrone the brilliance of its inspiration.

Instead, the film feels more in line with modern dark comedies like Death at a Funeral, opting for a “spicier” take on humour. Tapping into the realm of drugs and sex toys, the tone is significantly more brash. However, the contrast between the quaint English countryside setting and the ribald humour never quite lands as intended. The film certainly looks the part -successfully creating the impression of rural England while filming in South Africa – but it struggles to latch onto the same narrative momentum.

“I suppose you’re wondering why we called this meeting?”

The ensemble features a game cast of veteran actors with the dramatic muscle to do wonders. Joe Wilkinson leads as the bedraggled Edward, who seems oblivious to the collapse of both his hotel and his marriage. Laura Aikman is effective as his long-suffering wife, Helen, supported by solid talent including Jane Asher, Emmanuel Castis, Adrian Galley and David Sherwood. Jazzara Jaslyn is also a welcome presence as Jessica, the gold-digging carer turned seductress.

Ultimately, wielding awkward scenarios isn’t quite enough to make the comedy fly, and relying on the serviceable drama beneath it all feels like a lacklustre second prize. As promising as the cast and concept are, the script is found wanting. While two-dimensional characters are forgivable in a 30-minute sitcom format, they become a bit of a “slog” in a 70-minute feature… and without the character depth, the experience remains superficial.

Director Warren Fischer has effectively assembled the technical components of the film, but without sharper wit or dramatic suspense, A Family Affair misses the mark. You can see the vision, but the flashes of nudity and racy jokes are a bit too “on the nose” and the pacing lacks the escalation necessary to truly raise the bar. It’s a characterful ensemble with moments of gentle charm, but it never quite finds its stride as a comedy.

The bottom line: Subdued