MovieChat Forums > Hattie (2011) Discussion > Ruth Jones was superb...

Ruth Jones was superb...

posted 13 years ago by Mrs_Mills
6 replies | jump to latest

Ruth Jones was superb in this and Robert Bathurst perfectly captured the essence of John Le Mesurier in this intriguing drama about the private life of Hattie Jacques. Too bad that they gave Hattie's lover that dreadful wig that made him look just like David Walliam's Sebastian in the Prime Minister sketch of Little Britain as it totally ruined it for me. Otherwise a brilliant drama.

In Kidman's case, it's nice to see her lately immovable forehead participating in her performance

[–] badgerking10 13 years ago

I think Ruth Jones is fab and I'm glad she's starting to get a wider range of rôles... Yes - I don't know what it is about BBC4 dramas, but there always seems to be either a dodgy wig or some dodgy fake facial hair... I know they're usually fairly low-budget. But, are decent hair-pieces really that expensive..? Anyway, this had the usual feel of BBC4 drama - i.e. a little claustrophobic, due to a limited range of locations and, while very well-made, the low budget was obvious. But, the acting and writing were excellent and I enjoyed it.

[–] paulwitham 13 years ago

I thought Ruth only really captured Hattie perfectly when in character in the Carry on Cabby scenes, otherwise I thought she struggled to produce the sparkle that made Hattie a major star.
Marcia Warren was hilarious as Esma Cannon.

[–] Cenobitehell 13 years ago

yeah, I don't think Ruth quite grabbed 'Hattie', it was a good performance as a stand-alone drama. but i personally found it a bit unconvincing as the lifestory of "Comedy actress Hattie Jacques".

But as I say, i found it great as a drama in itself. good story (even if there was a lot of sex in it haha) and Ruth acted well in it, but this sounds horrid, but I think Ruth is too pretty to be Hattie and nowhere near as fat.

but... kudos to Ruth for getting this job! it's a big honour and I'm sure she put a lot of work into it.

[–] Flossieandflo 13 years ago

She didn't quite capture the essence of Hattie for me, it wasn't the physicality (although she isn't as big) so much as she didn't have her way of speaking and mannerisms quite right.

Compared with 'Eric & Ernie' where both actors were so spot on they became Morcambe & Wise for me. Can't help feeling it might have been better to cast an unknown actress better suited to the part, rather than be limited to casting an already known comedy actress.

Thought Robert Bathurst was superb as John Le Mesurier.

[–] sirjeremy 9 years ago

Yes, I agree with some P.P's about Ruth not being quite right for this role. Shame, really, as I do think there's a good story still to be made about Hattie's life, and R.J was miscast in this production.

[–] Prismark10 9 years ago

I think Jones was good but not as physically imposing as the real life Hattie.

Its that man again!!