"The Saucy Scandal of Littlehampton": Review of the movie "The Wicked Little Letters"

When the sleepy seaside town of Littlehampton gets its knickers in a twist over some naughty letters, everyone points fingers at Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley), the new Irish single mom in town. She's loud, she's unconventional, and predictably, she's the local black sheep. So, of course, the mostly male police force figures she's behind this mess.

What's all the fuss about? Poor Edith Swan (Olivia Colman), stuck at home with her ultra-religious parents, starts receiving scandalous anonymous letters. Her dad, Edward (a scary Timothy Spall), already hates Rose and thinks this vulgar mail is her doing, especially after a public spat.

This tale is so wild you'd think it's made up, but nope, it's based on real events that shook up 1920s England. Naturally, things aren’t as simple as they seem. Rose didn’t write those letters, so who did, and why?

The whodunit angle is pretty weak, but it lets screenwriter Jonny Sweet and director Thea Sharrock fill the screen with quirky characters played by an ensemble of talented actors. They chase clues like Sherlock Holmes meets Scooby-Doo, and it’s just as silly and fun.

Anjana Vasan steals the show as Gladys Moss, the only female cop who believes Rose is innocent. Vasan shines, especially when paired with the legendary Eileen Atkins and BAFTA-winner Joanna Scanlan. Together, they bring comedic and dramatic flair to their scenes.

But the real stars are Colman and Buckley. Their performances as Edith and Rose are both hilarious and heartbreaking. They bring a nuanced complexity that keeps you hooked, making you laugh one moment and cry the next. Their chemistry is electric and makes the film's message hit home.

Sure, the movie has its flaws. The juggling act between Rose's fears, Edith's pressures from her tyrannical dad, and Gladys’s detective work sometimes feel wobbly. The tonal shifts can be jarring, but Colman and Buckley’s brilliance saves the day.

Colman and Buckley make the movie sing. Their genuine portrayal of Edith and Rose’s evolving relationship is heartwarming. The film tackles themes of empathy and understanding, which feel especially relevant today amid social media chaos and societal issues.