Lady of the Manor is the type of buddy comedy that is not seen much anymore. Hannah (Melanie Lynskey) delivers drugs and lives in her boyfriend’s house. She takes a job as a tour guide at Wadsworth Manor. She catches the attention of the ghost of Lady Wadsworth (Judy Greer) and the two become unlikely friends. But is the specter truly interested in getting to know Hannah or does she have more sinister motives?
The film is as silly as it sounds. There are some great one liners and the best joke about flatulence in years. Lady of the Manor is light hearted and refreshing and constantly plays to its strengths. This includes the relationship between the two leads. Lady of the Manor can easily fall into cornball territory. The movie remains unpredictable and fun while sticking to its odd couple premise.
Lady of the Manor is filled with laugh inducing moments but does not explore the more dramatic aspects deeply enough. There is a twist at the end to add drama and a love triangle but neither add much to the film. It is surprising how little attention is paid to this part of the plot. The chemistry between the two main characters prevents this from being a major issue, however. The premise for Lady of the Manor sounds almost too simple. A ghost wants to help a wayward girl become more ladylike. Yet, the interactions between the two are mature and the story is well written.
Lady of the Manor is an entertaining comedy that exceeds expectations. The film sounds like it is going too formulaic to work, but the cast and writing keep things interesting. The lack of dramatic tension sticks out, but it does not negatively impact the film.
Lady of the Manor is available in Select Theaters, on Digital and On Demand September 17th! Available on Blu-ray and DVD September 21
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