Anna Friel stars as Maddy, a feisty young Australian determined to make upper-class Alex (Greg Wise) own up to being the father of her child. Instead, he arranges for her to be imprisoned for shoplifting (from Harrods) and gets psychiatrist Anna Massey to persuade her to sign adoption papers. Maddy finds a friend and ally in Gillian (Joanna Lumley), a tart with a heart, but even she can’t be trusted. Can Maddy get her baby back before he’s handed over to the new (and very unsuitable) parents?
Sara Sugerman, a respected director of short films, takes on Kathy Lette’s acclaimed novel and, thanks to a cast that also includes Judy Cornwell, Prunella Scales, Nicholas Woodeson and John Standing, captures the essence of Lette’s madcap comedy.
production details
UK | 90 minutes | 1999
Director: Sara Sugarman
Script: Sara Sugarman, Sasha Hails
Novel: Kathy Lette
cast
Anna Friel as Maddy
Joanna Lumley as Gillian
Anna Massey as Dwina Phelps
Phyllida Law as Lady Drake (Alex’s Mother)
Greg Wise as Alex
Elizabeth Berrington as Pru
Omid Djalili as George
John Standing as Politician
Nicholas Woodeson as Detective Slynne
Judy Cornwell as Maddy’s Mother
Prunella Scales as Dr. Minny Stinkler
Neil Stuke as Desk Sergeant
Eddie Marsan as Constable
Hermione Norris as Petronella
David Ryall as Man outside Harrods
Jodie Kidd as Tracey
Susie Bick as Sputnick
Sophie Dahl as Prisoner
Shannah Laumeister Stern as Group Leader
Sophie Okonedo as Rosie
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson as Celebrity
Howard Jones as D.J.
John Wood as Alistair
Noel Gallagher as