Plots with a View, released internationally as Undertaking Betty, is a 2002 British dark comedy written by Frederick Ponzlov, directed by Nick Huran, starring Brenda Blethyn, Robert Pugh, Alfred Molina, Naomi Watts, Lee Evans and Christopher Walken. The film began filming in Caldicot, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK in 2002, and was released in the U.S. on November 12, 2005, with a DVD release on March 7, 2006.
| Plots with a View | |
|---|---|
 International theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Nick Hurran |
| Written by | Frederick Ponzlov |
| Produced by | Michael Cowan Suzanne Lyons Jason Piette Kate Robbins |
| Starring | Brenda Blethyn Alfred Molina Naomi Watts Lee Evans Christopher Walken |
| Cinematography | Kevin Rudge James Welland |
| Edited by | John Richards |
| Music by | Rupert Gregson-Williams |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Miramax |
Release date | 2002 |
Running time | 88 minutes |
| Countries | United Kingdom United States Germany |
| Language | English |
Plot
Boris Plots, director of Plots Funeral Homes in the fictional Welsh village of Wrottin Powys, dreamed of only two things as a young boy: dancing and Betty. Betty secretly loved Boris, but could not fight her father's wishes, so she was married off to a gold digger. Boris gave up his dreams and took over the family's undertaking business. Everything has remained status quo in their lives until Betty's mother-in-law dies. Boris and Betty are thrust together again and as they discuss the funeral arrangements for Betty's mother-in-law, the old spark is rekindled.
Her funeral will be held at Plots Funeral Homes, much to the chagrin of rival funeral director, Frank Featherbed. Featherbed, an American, is determined to revolutionise the undertaking business in Britain through the innovation of "theme" funerals. Boris discovers that the only obstacle between their love for one another, is her marriage to the two-timing Mayor. In a desperate bid for happiness Boris and Betty decide to stage her death and run away together.
Cast
- Brenda Blethyn as Betty Rhys-Jones
- Robert Pugh as Hugh Rhys-Jones
- Alfred Molina as Boris Plots
- Naomi Watts as Meredith Mainwaring
- Lee Evans as Delbert Butterfield
- Christopher Walken as Frank Featherbed
Production
The movie was filmed on location in Monmouthshire, Wales, South Glamorgan, Wales, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales, and Denbighshire, Wales.
The dance sequences were choreographed by Peter Darling and the costumes were designed by Ffion Elinor.
Reception
The 2002 Variety review noted its "near-miraculous balance between the silly and the morbid" and referred to it as "enjoyable and entertainingly cast" even though it was "unlikely to bury the competition".[1] In 2005, The Los Angeles Times described it as succeeding in sustaining its "deliberate silliness" though it might work better for home viewing than in theatres, and described its cast as "first rate."[2] DVD Talk was less enthusiastic: "though kind of a mess, and not really all that funny, Undertaking Betty still feels barely recommendable, thanks to a colorful cast of true characters."[3] Reel Film gave it 3 of 4 stars, and described it as "charming, low-key romantic comedy", and though there's "nothing especially groundbreaking or even memorable about Undertaking Betty, but the undeniably sweet vibe is ultimately quite difficult to resist."[4]
Recognition
The film was nominated for a Golden Hitchcock at the 2002 Dinard British Film Festival, and won a Cymru Award at the 2003 BAFTA Awards, Wales.
References
- ^ Nesselson, Lisa (November 7, 2002). "Plots With a View (U.K.)". Variety.
- ^ Crust, Kevin (November 11, 2005). "Undertaking Betty". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2006-03-18.
- ^ Weinberg, Scott (March 29, 2006). "Undertaking Betty". DVDTalk.com.
- ^ "Buena Vista's March '06 Releases - Undertaking Betty (March 15/06)". ReelFilm.com. March 15, 2006.