A dark new period drama featuring a Downton Abbey star has just hit screens, drawing early acclaim from critics and viewers. Richard E Grant and Claire Foy lead the cast of Savage House, a black comedy set in the early 18th century.
Plot and Setting
The film follows Sir Chauncey and Lady Savage, an impoverished couple living in a Yorkshire mansion with their daughter Fanny. The debt-ridden aristocrats are forced to scheme to preserve their wealth and status ahead of a visit from the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Preparing for their guests, Sir Chauncey and Lady Savage sell family heirlooms and incur further debt to avoid ruin.
The synopsis teases: "Set against the backdrop of 18th century England, a massive Pox outbreak, and Jacobite Uprising - this is a timely and darkly satirical story of Sir Chauncey Savage (Grant) and Lady Savage’s (Foy) blind pursuit of a better life. It is not without a tinge of irony that their family name is the Savages, for this is a Savage House indeed. Filled with duels, decadence, and bloodshed, this is a madcap play on class and power."
Critical Acclaim
With the Downton Abbey and The Crown stars’ film having just hit cinemas, early reviews have landed. An Observer review read: "There’s something grubbily compelling about this tale of venal people and their doomed pursuit of power." A Times reviewer added: "It’s tragic, moving and quite brilliant."
A review on Rotten Tomatoes also read: "A gloriously unhinged period romp with Richard E. Grant doing what he does best. Dripping with pomposity and bad decisions in equal measure. Claire Foy matches him perfectly as his equally scheming wife, the two of them clawing at Georgian society while everything falls spectacularly apart. Dark, sharp, and thoroughly savage."
Another said: "This film is so funny and beautifully shot. The story is not what you expect. It’s quite gross in parts but that adds to the texture of the film and the reality of the time in which it is portraying. Richard E Grant gives a career best performance and Claire Foy is hilariously brilliant. This is a must see film."
Someone else added: "Richard E. Grant is captivating as usual and it's terrific to see him in a leading role. Claire Foy is a wonderful actress. Visually rich, funny and sad in its reflection of modern society's obsession with relevance."
Yet another said: "That is an utterly utterly brilliant piece of cinematography!!! Fantastic, darkly funny, engaging, superb storytelling, exquisite little details, like a modern day British Grimms Fairy Tale on steroids - what a great night; we absolutely loved it!"
Behind the Scenes
Speaking to The Mirror ahead of the film's premiere, Claire Foy said of director Peter Glanz’s script: "I had not read anything that made me laugh out loud so much in a long time… or ever. I found it so, so funny. There was searing honesty, followed by ridiculousness, which I find true to life. I loved it. It was so much fun." She added: "There is no-one quite like Richard. Richard is an incredible actor and unique person. He was a real pleasure."
Savage House is available to watch in UK cinemas now.
