Themes: Mothers and Sons, Party Film, Wedding Bells
Main Cast: Sophie Thompson, Edward Atterton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, William Baldwin
Release Year: 2000
Country: UK
Run Time: 87 minutes
Plot
Adapted for the screen from the 1951 play that revived playwright Noel Coward's flagging reputation, Relative Values is another wit-laden addition to the English comedy of manners ouevre. Set sometime during the mid-20th century, the film opens on the French Riviera, where nebbish English aristocrat Nigel (Edward Atterton) has just announced his engagement to vulgar American movie star Miranda Frayle (Jeanne Tripplehorn). Nigel's news dismays both his mother, Felicity (Julie Andrews), and Miranda's former lover, fellow screen icon Don Lucas (William Baldwin). Felicity manages to strap on a stiff upper lip while Don drowns his sorrows in booze and flees to England. Meanwhile, Felicity's personal assistant Moxie (Sophie Thompson) makes the rather startling announcement that Miranda is her estranged younger sister. Everything looks set to go pear-shaped until Felicity's cunning butler Crestwell (the ever-cunning Stephen Fry) comes up with an ingenious plan that will turn the tables in Moxie's favor. After Nigel returns to his mother's estate with Miranda in tow, Crestwell's plan is complicated by the unexpected arrival of an inebriated Don at a dinner party that Felicity is throwing for the engaged couple. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
Celestia Fox - Casting, Amanda Mackey-Johnson - Casting, Nic Ede - Costume Designer, Eric Styles - Director, Caroline Limmer - Editor, John Debney - Composer (Music Score), Humphrey Jaeger - Production Designer, Jimmy Dibling - Cinematographer, Michael Walker - Screenwriter, Noël Coward - Play Author
There is unrest in the upper class Marshwood household because Nigel is engaged to be married to a film actress, Miranda Frayle. Everybody disapproves of the union because Nigel would be marrying below his class. Nigel brings Miranda home to the Marshwood estate to meet his family. However his mother's maid, Moxie reveals that she is Miranda's estranged sister. Moxie agrees to disguise herself and pretend that she has inherited money and is staying as a family friend. However she is enraged when Miranda tells all sorts of lies about her family background. Meanwhile, Miranda's ex-lover arrives on the scene, wanting Miranda back.
