The Misadventures of Mr. Wilt

Based on the novel by Tom Sharpe, The Misadventures of Mr. Wilt reunites the considerable comic talents of Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones in a farcical tale of a missing wife, an overzealous law enforcement officer, and a blow-up doll. The titular hero Henry Wilt (Jones) is a liberal studies lecturer condemned to teaching students on day-release from the local pie factory. As if this wasn't demoralizing enough, he is regularly emasculated by his bossy wife, Eva (Alison Steadman); after a particularly embarrassing party he finds himself in possession of an inflatable playmate which he unceremoniously dumps at a local building site. Unfortunately, not only is he spotted, but his wife goes missing the same day, leaving a very tenacious Inspector Flint (Smith) determined to catch this suburban criminal. Jones is superb as the hen-pecked husband and Smith pulls of a fantastically clichéd, but hugely entertaining PC plod. It's a minor British comedy gem from a time when Four Weddings and a Funeral was merely a glint in Richard Curtis's eye. --Kristen Bowditch