Fackham Hall Review – A Brisk, Funny Parody of Downton Abbey That's Refreshingly Throwaway.

Maybe the feeling of uncertain days around us: subsequent to a lengthy span of quiet, the comedic send-up is staging a comeback. The recent season witnessed the revival of this lighthearted genre, which, in its finest form, lampoons the self-importance of overly serious genres with a flood of exaggerated stereotypes, sight gags, and stupid-clever puns.

Unserious times, apparently, beget knowingly unserious, laugh-filled, welcome light entertainment.

The Latest Addition in This Absurd Resurgence

The latest of these goofy parodies arrives as Fackham Hall, a parody of Downton Abbey that pokes fun at the highly satirizable airs of gilded UK historical series. Penned in part by British-Irish comedian Jimmy Carr and helmed by Jim O'Hanlon, the movie finds ample of inspiration to work with and uses all of it.

Opening on a absurd opening and culminating in a outrageous finale, this amusing aristocratic caper packs all of its runtime with gags and sketches that vary from the childish all the way to the genuinely funny.

A Pastiche of Upstairs, Downstairs

Similar to Downton, Fackham Hall delivers a spoof of overly dignified rich people and very obsequious staff. The story centers on the feckless Lord Davenport (played by a wonderfully pretentious Damian Lewis) and his anti-reading wife, Lady Davenport (Katherine Waterston). Having lost their four sons in a series of calamitous events, their plans now rest on securing unions for their offspring.

The younger daughter, Poppy (Emma Laird), has secured the dynastic aim of betrothal to the right close relative, Archibald (an impeccably slimy Tom Felton). However once she backs out, the onus transfers to the single elder sister, Rose (Thomasin McKenzie), described as an old maid already and and holds radically progressive notions regarding women's independence.

Where the Humor Succeeds

The parody is significantly more successful when satirizing the oppressive norms forced upon pre-war females – a subject frequently explored for po-faced melodrama. The trope of idealized womanhood provides the richest punching bags.

The storyline, as one would expect from a purposefully absurd send-up, is of lesser importance to the bits. Carr keeps them arriving at a consistently comedic rate. Included is a murder, a farcical probe, and a star-crossed attraction involving the plucky street urchin Eric Noone (Ben Radcliffe) and Rose.

The Constraints of Lighthearted Fun

The entire affair is in lighthearted fun, though that itself has limitations. The dialed-up silliness characteristic of the genre can wear after a while, and the mileage on this particular variety diminishes somewhere between a skit and a full-length film.

After a while, audiences could long to retreat to the world of (very slight) reason. Nevertheless, it's necessary to admire a sincere commitment to this type of comedy. If we're going to distract ourselves relentlessly, let's at least laugh at it.