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The six episodes of the series run for just under half-an-hour
and centre on the lively household of the Comtesse de Vache
(Saunders) and as any good student of French will know - that
name means she not exactly a nice sort.
Her maid is Lisette (French) who is a saucy little tart and
just can't wait for the next time the entire French army goes
on leave, but we'll not dwell on that point.
Apart from doing nothing for herself (particularly opening
doors) and trying to avoid her ageing hubby, the Comtesse
is waging a social-ladder war against Madame de Plonge (Alison
Steadman) and the pair do their utmost to undermine each other
in the eyes of Queen Marie-Antoinette.
Marie-Antoinette, though she had a head in the series, doesn't
have much of a brain (well, she is Austrian) and vonders around
vatching and vaiting.
While Let Them Eat Cake is routinely average for most of
its three hours, there are some absolutely hilarious moments
- I loved Richard Grant as the Marquis de Sade - together
with some truly appalling (but funny) sections. Make no mistake,
this is not for those with precious ears or attitudes.
My favourite character has to be the Comtesse's couturier,
Bouffant (Adrian Scarborough), who I reckon gets some of the
best lines and bits of storyline in Let Them Eat Cake.
If you like the French and Saunders style, and even that
of Frankie Howerd in Up Pompeii, then you may want to try
this on for size.
Conclusion: Movie 65%
Continued:
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