Keeping Mum

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, Keeping Mum is available in the US on Starz Apple TV Channel and YouTube TV right now. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Rowan Atkinson's performance alone is worth the time investment. Start it on Starz Apple TV Channel whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Keeping Mum is worth clearing space for. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate Keeping Mum from the crowd. A pastor preoccupied with writing the perfect sermon fails to realize that his wife is having an affair and his children are up to no good. Rowan Atkinson and Kristin Scott Thomas lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2005. The timing in Keeping Mum is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Keeping Mum is a strong candidate. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Rowan Atkinson's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.