Keeping Mum (2005) Movie Review

Keeping Mum
My favorite actors from different movies came together for a rare Brit comedy about family, fun and opportunistic murder in the film “Keeping Mum”. Spoiler warning for those of you who have not watched it.
It stars Rowan Atkinson, better known as Mr. Bean to Kenyan audiences, Patrick Swayze, of Dirty Dancing fame, Kristin Scott Thomas and Maggie Smith are a household in rural England, whose life as a family comes to the fore in this drama about family secrets.

Here is a review from IMDB
Gloria Goodfellow (Kristin Scott Thomas) has a normal life in the countryside along with her family. She’s the mother of two children, one precocious teenager girl and a timid boy, who’s been bullied by a bunch of kids from his school. Occassionally, their peace is disrupted by a neighbour’s annoying dog or a meddler neighbour. Gloria’s husband, Reverend Walter Goodfellow (Rowan Atkinson), is a clumsy but well respected priest, who’s preparing to give a speech in a religious convention at Cornwall. One morning a charming, efficient and quite kind lady, Grace Hawkins (Maggie Smith), arrives to work as a housekeeper at the Goodfellows’ house. The family’s life will change forever, because Grace will care for its integrity in her own special way. First, Grace will help Walter to relax and find his funny side during masses. Then, Grace finds out that Gloria is having an affair with her golf instructor (Patrick Swayze), a sort of pervert American man, interested in Gloria’s daughter as well. Last but not least, Grace will manage herself to get rid of the bullies who are giving a hard time to Petey. Despite this ideal reality, Gloria will discover a secret that Grace has been hiding… for more than 40 years. Written by Alejandro Frias

A witty watch for fans of brit humor, droll and funny. Catch this and other Think films.

La Femme Afrique shows topical insights from an African woman living in the United States. Africa content includes the arts, writing, food and people.

K.C.S.E Results

I was awoken yesterday to the IM Message: “Oe, Sorre! Tumewashinda, Strathmore is number 2 overall!” If you are not aware, I went to one of those schools which forever features in the top ten of the country’s best schools. ( Yes, I do say-only when results are out) This year, as this IM indicated, my alma mater was trounced. I was naturally pulled away from the task at hand to the nation/Standard front pages(the ones we can access for free) to see what it was that was the rank. Aaargh! When we were there we were kings! My old school had indeed been trounced by the fellas once again. To be fair, however, there was a fair distribution of girls from the school in the top 100 of the province, so that was a relief.

Before I delve into a monologue about the vagaries of the 8.4.4 system, I would like to thank M-Oh-Wan( Baba) for introducing the system that has produced the most hardened students in the history of Kenya. Guys of 7.6.3 if you are reading this, my disclaimer is that I was not there in your day, and have no direct quotes at you. In this country, the 8.4.4 kids I know are topping in major disciplines and shining in their campus communities. Of course, as you may know, I have not met the full gamut of Kenyans, no quantifiable data exists, et cetera. We are very tough, the system did something.

Back to the results. I was surprised to hear that not one girl attempted Aviation Technology in 2006. More saddening to me was the fact that even though more girls than boys attempted the exam, girls ranked poorly in major subjects. I am all for women and the figures are disheartening. On a cheerier note, I received an email from a relative who sat the KCSE last year with the email of the results. In this era of tech savvy youth, I suppose one could check online and then send the results to one’s nearest and dearest. In spite of the fact that the said rela had done very well, the usual rank and file of applying to public universities may overlook obvious good grades in favor of the overall point system. I am proud of my rela! As we would say (clap, clap, clap)”Good!” (clap, clap, clap)”Vyema” (clap, clap, clap)”you have made us proud”.

K.C.S.E is brutal testing if I ever saw any, so if you meet recent result receivers, do not forget to acknowledge their efforts.

Have a resultant Thursday!

La Femme Afrique shows topical insights from an African woman living in the United States. Africa content includes the arts, writing, food and people.