Tamara Drewe
| By Stephen Frears | |
| With Gemma Arterton, Tamsin Greig, Roger Allam | |
 | A young newspaper columnist returns to her hometown in the English countryside, where her childhood home is being prepared for sale, and causes a stir with her flirtatious ways. TAMARA DREWE is based on Posy Simmonds’ comic strip, which was inspired by Thomas Hardy’s book FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD, ran in The Guardian from 2005-2007 before being collected into a graphic novel. And this was a pure graphic novel in the sense that the text, which gently satirizes the English middle class, was given equal footing with Simmonds’ illustrations. Director Stephen Frears’ (The Queen, High Fidelity) film is fond and humorous, and an excellent showcase for Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace, St. Trinian’s 1 & 2), who brings poise to larger films and acting ability to smaller films such as this. (Certificate 15) |