Twelve strangers are invited to a remote manor house in the countryside on the pretext of a school reunion. There, a tape recording leaves them detailed instructions on how, if they agree to hand in their mobile phones and stay in the house for four days, they will receive one million pounds apiece.
Simple enough perhaps. In fact, while this may sound like the set up to a murder mystery, this is pretty much pure British farce. Complications do inevitably ensue one of the characters is expecting to get married in two days, for example but generally it’s hard to see what the characters are fussing about. Unscheduled their stay may be, but the house actually seems very nice. Anyone expecting booby traps or that the occupants will each be bumped off one by one Ten Little Indians style -will be disappointed. Most people would be happy to stay in the house for free, let alone for a cool million.
The 12 are made up from a range of assorted stereotypes. A sexy young woman, an unhappy married couple, a surprisingly devious old lady (actually, this last isn’t really a stereotype, admittedly). One man has such a bad stammer he can barely speak! You can imagine how funny this is. Also, even the most rabid atheists will probably find the portrayal of the one Christian character meek, boorish, hypocritical and constantly praying intensely annoying and fairly offensive.
Why then is this mediocre effort from 2007 finally being released today? Well, Miranda Hart is briefly in it. As is Katy Wix. Both were fairly unknown then. The first is famous now in 2013, the second thanks to her TV sketch show and sitcom appearances is fast getting there.
But don’t be fooled. Talented as both of these comedy actresses are, they are barely in this for more than a few scenes each. If you really want to see Miranda Hart or Katy Wix’s early work that much, watch some episodes of Not Going Out on Dave.
For this is crap.
Overall Verdict: To be fair, this does have its moments but would probably have worked better as an ITV one off. Basically, a dud.
Reviewer: Chris Hallam