A Feast At Midnight (1995)

Wonderful character development!

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

The acting in this movie is really good.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

I have such fond memories of this film (if you can have fond memories before you're 40), it was like the realisation of a childhood fantasy, which, let's face it, is everything a movie should be. Identifying with the characters was no stretch at all, and neither was the situation which I can give testament to from several similar pantry-raids with friends in the boarding house. Christopher Lee is the perfect villain cum headmaster, and I will never forget that little boy at the mixing bowl, enthusiastically covering himself in flour. This movie is pleasantly nostalgic (at any age!) way to spend an hour and a half (I would recommend with a nice helping of some of your favourite comfort food). After all who doesn't love food and children besting the grown- ups? Just insert your old headmaster/mistress's face here and enjoy the show...

I had high hopes of this film from the blurb, as a food-themed film that would be suitable for a family audience. Although Christopher Lee and Sam West do their best, director Justin Hardy doesn't seem to know what he wants the film to be. Robert Hardy (any relation?) gives his usual lovable headmaster, and Lisa Faulkner is a convincing repressed daughter. Carol MacCready is a Mrs Bumble of a matron Any non-sporting person will sympathise with the cross country torment. But overall the film is dated and confused, a waste of good acting talent and a potentially delightful story. The start is so slow that younger audiences would not wait for the amusing action to happen. And Edward Fox's cameo role, charming though it is, adds nothing to the story. I wonder what was left on the cutting room floor.

"A Feast at Midnight" is a family feast at any time. The story centers around Goff, a young boy sent to boarding school in England, whose favorite illegal pastime is cooking. Letters from his father offer paternal wisdom, recipes from L'Escoffier and encouragement for his deliciously naughty behaviour.Goff (Aled Roberts) develops a small band of friends who sneak into the "No Boys Allowed" kitchen late at night, cooking up sophisticated desserts. Will they get caught by Chef, who is clearly frustrated by the Headmaster's desire to feed the school a healthy, low-fat and basically tasteless diet? Or will they get caught by the Major, a stern taskmaster whose daughter, Miss Charlotte (Lisa Faulkner) is employed in many servile capacities at the school?The very scary Major is drolly portrayed by Christopher Lee, whose deep set eyes and basso profundo is know to viewers in an assortment of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes movies.(He also narrated "The Rocky Horror Picture Show.)Lee is the uncle of Harriet Walker, who coincidentally appeared with Headmaster Robert Hardy in "Sense and Sensibility". (Fanny Dashwood, Sir John Middleton.)Goff's friendship with Miss Charlotte changes the nature of her relationship to the school and her father, and gives her the courage to declare her own independence.The anal retentive Chef is superbly portrayed by Samuel West, who moviegoers will recognize as Julia Robert's co-star in "Notting Hill". Director Justin Hardy and Cinematographer Tim Maurice-Jones use a wide-angle lens to emphasize Goff's sense of aloneness and feelings of being overwhelmed.There are a number of humorous visual and plot puns that film buffs will recognize, such as a play on "Oliver" in a dining hall scene.Goff's relationship with his father, and his unique method of rebellion make this a film that stands out as an alternative to the usual violent fare aimed at children, yet it is sophisticated enough to be enjoyed by all.

A cute and not too taxing film about the nature and importance of friendship. One wonderful moment involves a re-enactment of the "raptors invade the kitchen" scene from Jurassic Park. Would recommend for children between the ages of 8 and 10 and for adults who are in the mood for a light snack.