This quirky little murder mystery, based on Patrick McGrath's novel, strives for Gothic atmosphere but comes across like a BBC Screen One drama with some sex and violence thrown in. This is one film destined to rest more comfortably on the small screen, but it does have its moments.
It is rural England, 1949, and the Coal family estate consists of Sir Hugo (Bates), a palaeontologist with a radical theory on dinosaur evolution, his American wife (Russell), eager to lure a succession of hired help to her boudoir, and dippy daughter Cleo (Lena Headey). Newly arrived is butler Fledge (Sting) and his housekeeper wife Doris (real life Mrs. Sting, Trudie Styler), who initially seem perfect, but when Cleo's fiance Sidney (Steven Mackintosh) is murdered, it swiftly becomes apparent that Fledge may not be the loyal servant Sir Hugo hoped for.
Aiming for a perfect mix of black comedy and sinister menace, the film at times overplays both sides and ends up relying for shock value on a twist anybody paying attention will take around five seconds to deduce.
But if stylistically it's all over the shop, it is redeemed by the cast. Bates may be worryingly hammy but the supporting players shine - Mackintosh is note perfect as the wimpy boyfriend, James Fleet bumbles around as an incompetent copper, and Jim Carter does a sterling turn as Sir Hugo's confidant. Sting is okay, although mainly resurrecting his demonic Brimstone And Treacle persona. An uneasy concoction, certainly, but those who get a kick out of period cosies, social satire or, indeed, the sight of the former Police frontman in the altogether, will not be disappointed.