Starring: Gemma Arterton, Roger Allam, Bill Camp, Dominic Cooper and Tamsin Greig
Directed by: Stephen Frears
MPAA Rated: R for language and some sexuality
Genre: : Art/Foreign, Comedy and Adaptation
Running Time: 1 hr 49 min
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Classics
By John Delia
This little quirky film should have been listed as a drama as it would have worked a lot better for the cast. Unfortunately Tamara Drewe’s listed as a comedy and what’s funny, is not. It’s an unusual production for Stephen Frears as he’s usually one that most directors envy when it comes to making films.
The movie is about this young woman who returns to her mundane little town where she was labeled an ‘Ugly Betty’ in school.  Now completely gown and remade into this gorgeous lady the townsfolk find themselves without words. Completely in love with herself on the impression she has made, she sets out to upset the applecart in her little farming town.
There isn’t much to say about the film except that it neither made me laugh nor kept me intrigued. The best part of the film comes from two young girls who seek revenge on Tamara. Here Tamara Drewe plays out more like a “Nancy Drew” mystery than a comedy of wits versus sex appeal.
The comedic timing is way off and the choice of Nicholas Hardiment, an old person, to have sex with just doesn’t add to the fun. Even her disdain for the local hottie doesn’t work here. Although he’s the guy who labeled her ugly, he’s still the best thing in town for her to like.
Maybe I just don’t get British humor or their way of bringing comedy to the screen. Most of the funny situations are cold and unsatisfying especially those that are made about sex and retribution. If you like this type of humor, however, you still may want to get it elsewhere as the acting here needs an upgrade.
Just mentioning that Director Stephen Frears has a bad film gets close to blasphemy since he has made so many good ones like Mrs. Henderson Presents, High Fidelity, My Beautiful Launderette, The Grifters and many more. But I feel even some of the greatest directors has his day and Tamara Drewe is Frears’s.
The film is rated R for language and some sexuality.
FINAL ANALYSIS: An attempt at comedy that just doesn’t work. (1.5 of 5)