I adore Noel Coward. I have performed in and directed works by Noel Coward and I love the biting wit and crackling dialogue. Had they done this as a straight-on version of the play, I would have really enjoyed this cast in that play.
This, however, could easily have had the heading "suggested by the works of Noel Coward". It took the basic premise, smoothed out some of the period humor and added a bunch of unneccessary updates. As a Noel Coward piece, it's basically low-rent Cliffs Notes.
However, as a quirky comedy that involves ghosts and a less-than-capable medium, it doesn't suck. The cast is amusing, and Leslie Mann was designed to play characters in this period. She could be a Carole Lombard for a new generation. I agree with several reviewers that Dame Judi Dench was terribly underused. Her Madame Arcadi was not the delicious character Coward wrote.
It's not art, and it sure as heck isn't Noel Coward. But it was fun, a nice way to spend an evening and a visual treat for costumes, hair and makeup. And honestly, who doesn't love Leslie Mann in anything close to a screwball comedy? There were lots of added plot points that were underdeveloped to the point of "why bother?"(Garden show?) but as filler they didn't detract much. The ending seemed like someone saw a clock and decided it was time to finish it off.
Watch the Rex Harrison version of you want to experience Noel Coward's artistry. Watch this to see pretty people in pretty clothes doing silly stuff.
Review of Blithe Spirit
