Best of British world-class cinema

Zoe Frampton reviews the best UK films of 2003

Published: 01 October 2003

Zoe Frampton reviews the best UK films of 2003

The Hours, directed by Stephen Daldry

The American and Australian cast make it hard to believe that this is a truly British film, however it was made in the UK and adapted from Michael Cunningham's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by a British screenwriter. The film also has a British director, who insisted that 95 per cent of the picture was filmed in the Home Counties by an entirely British crew.

The Hours follows the stories of three women over one day in three different time periods. Their lives are interconnected and their actions influence each other, both directly and indirectly.

Nicole Kidman plays Virginia Woolf in 1923, writing her famous novel, Mrs Dalloway. The film documents Wolfe's deterioration into mental illness as a result of deep depression and feelings of imprisonment by her protective husband.

Laura Brown (Julianne Moore) is a depressed Fifties housewife who feels unable to cope with her roles as a wife and mother. Discontented with her life, compulsively reading Mrs Dalloway, Laura plans to commit suicide on her husband's birthday. She fills her pockets with prescription drugs and books into a hotel.

The third story follows Clarissa Vaughan (Meryl Streep), a literary agent in contemporary Manhattan, known to her good friend Richard (Ed Harris) as Mrs Dalloway. Richard is a distinguished poetry writer. He is also dying of Aids. As Clarissa prepares a party to celebrate his lifetime achievement award, Richard grows increasingly despondent.

There are stunning performances from the leads and a good supporting cast.

'The Hours' will be available to buy on DVD on 24 November 2003, rrp £19.99, ASIN: B000087JHY

Johnny English, directed by Peter Howitt

Rowan Atkinson does his blundering best in the title role of this James Bond spoof. Johnny English is an office worker for the British Secret Service. He spends his days dreaming of becoming a top secret agent, and when his foolishness results in the assassination of the entire British intelligence personnel, Johnny gets his chance. As the sole survivor, Johnny English becomes Britain's new number one secret agent.

English is sent to guard the Crown Jewels but, sure enough, they get stolen. He enthusiastically embarks on his first mission to recover them from the villainous Pascal Sauvage (John Malkovich). Natalie Imbruglia plays the love interest, Lorna Campbell, a role that requires her to look pretty and act competently, but not brilliantly.

The comedy is mostly physical and slapstick with a few good one-liners.

'Johnny English' is available to buy on DVD, rrp £19.99, ASIN: B0000A5BS7

Nicholas Nickleby, directed by Douglas Mcgrath

This adaptation of Charles Dickens's classic novel introduces British newcomer Charlie Hunnam as the eponymous hero.

Following the death of his destitute father, Nicholas takes his mother and sister, Kate (Romola Garai), to London, where they are forced to seek help from their father's wealthy brother, the greedy and selfish Ralph (Christopher Plummer).

Ralph wants to get rid of his poor relatives and splits up the family, finding Nicholas work as a teacher at Dotheboys Hall for Orphaned Boys. Nicholas befriends the servant boy Smike (Jamie Bell) when he saves him from a beating from the merciless headmaster Wackford Squeers (Jim Broadbent). Nicholas and Smike escape, reunite Nicholas's family and discover a secret that could bring about the downfall of Ralph.

This film is entertaining and dark with a strong cast.

'Nicholas Nickleby' is on at cinemas nationwide

The Tulse Luper Suitcase - part 1: The Moab Story, directed by Peter Greenaway

Selected for the Official Competition at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival, this film follows the story of Tulse Luper, a writer and project-maker, caught up in prison life. The film spans 60 years, starting in 1928, when Tulse's father locks him up for the first time as a punishment when he is just 10.

Tulse is arrested and sent to prison 12 years later. This sets off a pattern of adventures in and out of prisons around the world, revolving around his suspected involvement with uranium. Tulse spends his time in prison writing on the walls about various project ideas involving literature, theatre, film and painting. He also schemes with prison guards.

He becomes famous for his project-making and lectures and exhibitions are held in his honour. Ninety-two suitcases (the atomic number of uranium) are collected and exhibited because he has supposedly been involved with them during his adventures.

'The Tulse Luper Suitcase - Part 1' is showing at selected cinemas nationwide