Plots with a View

Plots with a View is a cheeky British comedy-drama produced in 2002. The film boasts a multi-talented ensemble cast, with renowned actors such as Brenda Blethyn, Alfred Molina, and the inimitable Christopher Walken, that brings to life characters both charming and eccentric.

The film's narrative unfolds in a quaint Welsh town, where people are known for their unusual longevity. It's an interesting setting, especially when you take into account the tale's central theme - death. The film uses subtle undertones of dark humor to focus on the circles of society that revolve around this somber subject. It's refreshing to see a film tackle such a weighty topic in a lighthearted, but respectful manner.

The central character of Plots with a View is a lovable yet somewhat world-weary woman named Betty Rhys-Jones, played by Brenda Blethyn. Her life has been anything but uneventful: once an aspiring woman, she is now mired in a small-town existence, where she's been handling the accounts at a local undertaker's office for years. Despite the monotony of her life, Betty is full of kindness and warmth, a trait that holds the community together.

Enter Alfred Molina as Boris Plots, her employer, who is deeply in love with Betty. Plots is a traditional funeral director, fond of the dark, somber ceremonies fitting the sterotypes people have in mind when thinking of funerals. Meanwhile, Betty yearns for a set of lively, colorful funerals that celebrate lives, adding a bit of beauty to the somber event instead of just focusing on the sorrow of death.

Christopher Walken, in a spellbinding performance, plays Frank Featherbed, an American interloper who resides in the same town. Featherbed, like Betty, prefers a more colorful approach to death, specializing in themed funerals. He becomes a direct rival to Boris Plots, offering unique 'fancy' funerals to the residents of this longevity-blessed Welsh town. His opening ceremony features a spectacular version of death-by-chocolate, with an over-the-top theatricality which is both engaging and surreal.

Despite the rivalry that blossoms between Featherbed and Plots, leading to some truly bizarre and hilarious funeral-off scenarios, the story predominantly reflects on delicate human interactions and relationships. The simmering romance between Betty and Boris offers a wholesome facet to the narrative, balancing the comedy with earnest sentimentality.

The film explores the theme of life and death in different, and often wildly unexpected ways. Its consideration of death is thoughtfully layered and nuanced, viewing it not just as an end, but also a strange occasion for celebration and memory. Throughout Plots with a View, the humor is dark, but always tender, never crossing the line into inappropriate. It’s grim, sure, but it’s also a love story, equally sweet and delightfully absurd.

In terms of craftsmanship, Plots with a View is both visually striking and meticulously detailed. If you're a fan of classic British comedy where the humor is a bit subdued, and the plot delightfully outrageous, this film is for you. The narrative, with its carefully paced rhythm, is attentive to its larger-than-life characters, giving each one a moment to shine. The cast is on point as well, with each actor adding their own distinctive touch to the idiosyncratic yet heartwarming narrative.

Plots with a View is a hidden gem that goes above and beyond its quirky title. It is a film that elegantly balances comedy and drama, addressing and facing the inevitable end that we all will meet one day: death itself. Through an eccentric and unconventional lens, the film invites viewers to join in on an oddly entertaining exploration of mortality, love, and the eccentricities of life. Balancing hilarity and poignancy, it’s a film that leaves a lasting impression on its audience, and one you won't want to miss.