MOTHER FATHER SISTER BROTHER FRANK

4 stars

Miracle Media. Digital. 27th January 

A Sunday dinner. The family are together, much to the excitement of mother Joy (Mindy Cohn, the voice of Velma in Scooby-Doo’s more recent incarnation). Grumpy faced father Jerry is more interested in the wine. Meanwhile sister Jolene and brother Jim are goading each other as siblings do. You know, the usual family dynamics. Meet the Jennings.

All mother asks for is one evening a week that they gather and have a meal – ‘Whether we like or not’, says Jolene. Except this isn’t happy families – all is not as it seems, as they all have secrets, that may well affect all of them. 

However, Joy is determined that nothing will ruin the repast – and then there is a knock at the door. It is Frank (Juan Chioran), Jerry’s brother – much to the consternation of everyone. What does Frank want?

As the various held in confidences begin to surface, thoughts turn to murder…

This darkly comic comedy horror from Canada, is well handled by director Caden Douglas, working from his own wickedly funny script with great dialogue enthusiastically played by the excellent cast, especially Mindy Cohn as the rather wound up mother. The music, by Adrian Ellis and Walker Grimshaw, captures the over the top, often absurd tone. Things get progressively daft as events unfold in farcical manner. Hilarious stuff.

Steve Kirkham