Janice Beard (1999)
Light and enjoyable if not fantastic
14 September 2002
Janice lives with her housebound, agoraphobic mother and has done all her life since her father died in childbirth. However in her twenties she decides to go to London to get money to save for treatment for her Mum. However the reality of office life is a lot different and her job is petty and stressful as she helps prepare for a major car launch. However a romance with postman Sean appears promising.

One of many British films that simply go right under the cinema radar. This may have failed because it is similar in basic style to Bridget Jones and other comedies without being as well cast or as well hyped. Also it's not quite as funny as those that have hit big. The plot is a little wacky for the first half as it is Ally McBeal-like in it's wit and content. It's funny in little things like Janice making up stories etc. The actual plot is industrial espionage and is daft but doesn't really spoil a light funny film.

It may not all be that good but mostly it's lightly enjoyable – not trying too hard but just ticking over. Walsh is very good as Beard and Kensit is very sexy and very good as Julia, at least until her walls come, unconvincingly, crumbling down. Ifans is on auto-pilot but has fun and the rest of the office cast are well used and spot on for the most part.

Overall this isn't superb but it is lightly amusing in it's own way. No-one should hold out hope for the pot being amazing but it is enjoyable. Worth watching once.
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