Mrs Caldicot’s Cabbage War Review

Thelma Caldicot turns a lifetime of repressed anger against those who have written her off when her greedy son dumps her in the Twilight Years Rest Home after her husband's sudden death.

by Alan Morrison |
Published on
Release Date:

31 Jan 2003

Running Time:

110 minutes

Certificate:

12A

Original Title:

Mrs Caldicot’s Cabbage War

Only by swapping Brussels sprouts for cabbages could the title of this bittersweet British comedy be more off-putting.

Add in a cast whose average age must be around 70, and it begins to sound like deliberate box office hari-kari. But there's a lot to admire here, particularly a showcase performance by Pauline Collins.

Her spirited character, Thelma Caldicot, turns a lifetime of repressed anger against those who have written her off when her greedy son (Capaldi) dumps her in the Twilight Years Rest Home after her husband's sudden death.

At certain points, the film becomes something of a lightweight One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, but its mouse-that-roared scenario is always charming and entertaining.

Full marks for having the talent to bring the character and story so close to a dark abyss - and keep the audience smiling.
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