Peter's Friends 1992

     This is a British treatment of the themes shown in the movie The Big Chill of 1983.  Peter’s father has passed away and his family has a very large home.  Peter has decided he will sell the house after asking his friends to come for a party at Christmas.  They were members ten years ago of a music and comedy group at Cambridge University.  They are a diverse blend of people now in their early thirties.  Andrew has married Carol and she is the star of an American situation comedy written by Andrew.  Maggie is hoping that she may be able to jump-start a romance with Peter.  Roger and Mary develop jingles for products as their profession and they have recently had one of their twin baby boys die.  Sarah has brought her latest boyfriend Brian.  Vera, the  housekeeper, is on hand to cook fabulous meals for the occasion.

     This is dated and I wish there was more happening?  It seems to skim along the surface and not delve deep enough for the complications involved.  The actors are highly in this film but they are given nothing to work with!!  It is interesting to see the actors at a younger age.  2 ½* (This movie is so-so)

101 min, Comedy/Drama directed by Kenneth Branagh with Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Phyllnida Law, Kenneth Branagh, Imelda Stauton, Alphonsia Emmanuel, Richard Briers, Alex Scott, Hetta Charnley, Rita Rudner Ann Davies, Bill Parfitt, Ruby May Musto, Ann Davies.

Note:  Imdb 7 out of 10, 71% critic 78% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3.5* out of 4, Empire Online 4* out of 5*, Reel Views.net 2.5* out of 3*.

Special Note:  Filmed in Wrotham Park, Barnet, Hertforshire, England, UK.  Peter played by Stephen Fry is the second person in the UK to purchase a Mac PC and he doesn't own a television.  Douglas Adams bought the first two.  Several members of the leading cast actually attended college together at Cambridge University.  Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson, Hugh Laurie and Tony Slattery.  They were also members of the Cambridge Footlights Amateur Dramatic Club.  Emma Thompson's mother is Phyllida Law.  At the time of filming, she was also the mother-in-law of Kenneth Branagh.  Hugh Laurie wrote the coffee jingle performed by Roger.  The entire opening scene with dancing, backstage banter and the final picture was done in one take lasting just four minutes.