Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War (2003)

Really Surprised!

Good concept, poorly executed.

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

This film shows just how people are regarded over the age of 60, and unfortunately because generations are getting older, it will only get worse. Everyone in this film shows just what can be achieved if you don't have to sit & eat cabbage and be doped up to the eye balls.Pauline Collins, plays her part so well, to be put into a home, just because her son (Peter Capaldi) and his wife want her home after his father dies, and now his mother has become "past it." The film shows just how in a position to either be putting someone in to a care home, or being made to go into a care home should be aware of, because this certainly is an eye opener. People are not "past it" just because they don't work, or have lost their partners.

I viewed and taped this production when it was first shown on TV, and recently had an occasion to re-watch it. I loved it even better the second time around.It's the tale of a woman forced, by the death of her obnoxious husband and the designs of her avaricious son and his equally greedy wife, to retire to a residential nursing home. She does not find things to her liking. It is run by a strict regime, and although not overly mistreated, the elderly inmates are not exactly handled with due reverence either. The new arrival, Mrs Thelma Caldicot is about to change all that...and how! Hopefully I trust not many (none would be better) of these types of establishments are run as depicted here. Even more so as I'm getting on a bit myself, and one can never be quite certain of the future. However, I have my fingers crossed.Reminiscent of the American made-for-TV movie, "Amos" (1985) starring an ageing Kirk Douglas, which more poignantly explored a similar theme (as indeed to some extent did a certain two-part episode of "One Foot in the Grave"), "Cabbage War" takes a somewhat less cynical view of things. This results in a robustly delightful, slightly over-the-top comedy, with real life man & wife team John Alderton and Pauline Collins for once in opposition to each other, and playing their parts with perfection and relish. In such a distinguished and superbly chosen cast it's difficult (after Pauline Collins) to pick out the star of the piece. They are all just simply wonderful. Not wishing to spoil it for those who haven't as yet seen it, I won't delve further into the storyline. Suffice it to say that it's one not to be missed.

Pauline Collins, who shone so brightly in Shirley Valentine, fails to rescue this lamely scripted and poorly acted British comedy. The plot concerns Mrs Caldicot, a widow who is tricked out of her house and into a retirement home, where she is sedated and forced to sign over her property to her son.She soon realises that she and her fellow residents, who are also sedated to keep them quiet, are being treated unfairly and foments a rebellion against the home's smarmy manager.But this comedic take on One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is mired in pantomime-quality acting and naive plotting in which old people are never disorientated or distressed, and journalists pay for scores of pensioners to be put up in a country house hotel.I have no idea what Vernon Coleman's novel was like, but it is unlikely that the set decorator who adapted it made many improvements.It made just £16,400 at the British box office. I would be surprised if most of those who parted with their money did not ask for it back.

Some of the scenes in this black comedy might appear a bit farcical but many of them come dangerously close to the truth. Young and old should see this film and then ask themselves whether this is the future they want to look forward to. While medical science has extended our life expectation, no one has successfully resolved the problem of how to look after our aging citizens in a compassionate and dignified manner.Mrs. Caldicot (Paukine Collins) of sound mind but tricked into joining the retirees in the Twilight Nursing Home after the death of her ever-demanding husband recognizes that life there is sheer hell and sets about re-organizing the establishment. While senior staff seem to thrive on sex and silver service, the old folk repeatedly get large servings of cabbage at mealtimes. And to stop them from complaining, they are all administered regular doses of sedatives.One of the funniest scenes in the film is when inventive Mrs. Caldicot puts matron out of action and with the help of other old folk prepare a sumptuous feast for all to enjoy with the accompaniment of the best red and white wines.On expulsion from the Nursing Home for misbehaviour she is unable to return to her own home because her selfish son has already sold it. There is only one thing to do. She puts up at a hotel with the other oldies and they spend up big with the added enjoyment of room service. It's a farcical situation but your heart goes out to them as they enjoy a few moments of happiness.When the media hears about the commotion at the Nursing Home Mrs Caldicot speaks her mind and becomes a much sought after TV personality. The latter half of the film amusingly shows us how TV interviewers can manipulate people and how investment companies can and do make profits from the plight of old people. There is much food for thought here.It's all very familiar and one comes to the conclusion that there should be a lot more Mrs. Caldicots willing to stand up and beat the system and to point us in the right direction.Mrs. Caldicot....we salute you!