St Trinian’s – 2007 | 97 mins | Comedy | Colour

Plot Synopsis

The St. Trinian’s series, based on the cartoons of Ronald Searle, has had a chequered history; from comedy classic to terrible misfire.The series opened with two fine films directed by Frank Launder and starring the inimitable Alastair Sim as Miss Fritton. Launder would return to the franchise three more times in ‘60, ’66 and ’80 but each time the cast was weaker and the film a greater disappointment. It returns once more co-helmed by Oliver Parker, who has already twice failed in reworking a classic British film, and the result here is a film that tries too hard to be trendy with an avalanche of self-conscious cultural references, broad stereotypes and incessant obtrusive chart music. The innocence and teen spirit of the original films about the anarchic student body of the titular ‘ladies school’ has been lost in a tiresome script lacking in subtlety and humour.

The young cast of minor tabloid celebs are generally weak apart from an excellent Jodie Whittaker and Gemma Arterton. A camp Rupert Everett attempts to fill Alistair Sim’s dual Fritton role, and whilst comedy isn’t quite his forte he does appear to display some grasp of the requirements.Colin Firth remains a slightly crooked version of his typecast persona and comic Russell Brand struggles within the constraints of scripted comedy whilst reviving George Cole’s Flash Harry.

St Trinian’s, the Infamous school for ‘young ladies’, is once again facing dire financial crisis with debts of £500,000. The bank is threatening headmistress Camilla Fritton (Rupert Everett) with closure.Meanwhile her brother Carnaby has moved his daughter Annabelle (Talulah Riley)to St Trinian’s from Cheltenham, and observes the growing mound of final demand letters in Camilla’s office. Miss Fritton’s unorthodox doctrine of free expression and self empowerment is also under threat from new Education Minister Geoffrey Thwaites (Colin Firth). He may be an old flame of Camilla’s,but right now he’s determined to bring discipline and order to the anarchic school. But the St. Trinian’s girls are in a league of their own; smart,fearless and determined to defend the school they love to the end.

They need to unite the warring girl gang cliques and come up with the cash fast. Sassy Head Girl Kelly (Gemma Arterton) and newcomer Annabelle (Talulah Riley) join forces and gather together a motley crew of teachers, the fiendishly charming Flash Harry and the resourceful and ruthless pupils to pull off the heist of the century. They’re planning to steal the famous painting “Girl with a Pearl Earring” from the National Gallery, right under the noses of the authorities.