Review of Fackham Hall – A quick, humorous parody of Downton Abbey

The era of parody films seems to be making a comeback. After years of dormancy, the genre is returning with a mix of broad clichs, visual gags, and clever wordplay that poke fun at overly serious productions. Recent months have seen the revival of comedies such as The Naked Gun with Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson, Spinal Tap II, and new installments of parody classics like Scary Movie and Spaceballs. Audiences appear ready for humor that is knowingly silly and unapologetically shallow.

Debuting amidst a week of absurd headlines, Fackham Hall takes aim at the gilded pretensions of British period dramas. This Downton Abbey spoof, written by comedian Jimmy Carr and directed by Jim OHanlon, seizes on the source materials final season and the fifteen-year legacy of the original series to deliver nonstop laughs. From servants rolling joints for the household to a scandalous masturbatorium, the films 97 minutes are packed with jokes that range from ridiculous to genuinely funny, proving that satire of the aristocracy still has life.

Like its inspiration, Fackham Hall centers on pompous nobles and their overly attentive staff, with Lord Davenport (Damian Lewis) and his anti-reading wife Lady Davenport (Katherine Waterston) left to navigate life after losing their four sons. Attention shifts to their daughters: Poppy (Emma Laird) has fulfilled the family goal of marrying her first cousin, but she abandons this duty for a simpleton, forcing the spotlight on Rose (Thomasin McKenzie), 23 and considered a dried-up husk by her mother. Roses desire for independence and literacy puts her at odds with cousin Archibald (Tom Felton), creating a perfect setup for comedy.

Jimmy Carrs humor thrives on poking fun at the constraints placed on women in early 20th-century society, with Roses bookish rebellion providing rich comedic material. The story further escalates when pickpocket Eric Noone (Ben Radcliffe), tasked with delivering a letter to Fackham, becomes entangled with Rose, blending bumbling romance with slapstick moments.

The plot takes a backseat to constant gags, including a botched murder investigation and the chaos that ensues when forbidden romance threatens aristocratic plans. Classic spoof techniqueswordplay, pratfalls, and absurd situationskeep the film moving at a lively pace. For instance, the exchange between an investigator and the butler exemplifies the films playful irreverence: Im here for the murder. Im afraid someones already done it! But come in anyway.

While the relentless silliness may tire some viewers before the feature ends, Fackham Hall delivers a wholehearted celebration of parody. Its commitment to absurdity ensures that audiences can enjoy a spirited, joke-filled romp at the expense of the elite.

The film is currently showing in the US, will premiere in the UK on 12 December, and in Australia on 19 February.

Author: Zoe Harrison