The comic routine about his misunderstanding of 'Churchill' (Church – Hill) – a running gag – is sublime and a challenger (with 'Was that it t'were so simple') for the comedy routine of the year.

But outstanding among them is Tom Bennett who is simply hilarious as the nice but dim Sir James. Stephen Fry joins what is a superb ensemble cast. Her comic timing is just sublime, and while comedies are often overlooked in Awards season, this is a role for which she richly deserves both BAFTA and Oscar recognition.

But this is a tour de force for Kate 'Underworld' Beckinsale who delivers a depth of acting ability that I've not seen from her in the past. However, it does require the attention of the viewer: characters get introduced to you in rapid fire succession, and keeping track of who's who and how they interrelate is quite a challenge. Or can she have her cake and eat it? Based on a Jane Austen short story, 'Lady Susan', this is a delight from beginning to end. A tale of deception, pregnancy and a marriage of convenience follows: does Lady Susan have to choose between her sexual desires and the rich, stupid and dull Sir James Martin (Tom Bennett, 'David Brent: Life on the Road'). Playing many different ends against the middle, Lady Susan – with the collusion of her American friend Alicia (Chloë Sevigny) – attempts to both find a suitably rich suitor for her daughter Frederica (Morfydd Clark) as well as finding a rich husband for herself to allow her to stay in the manor (sic) to which she has become accustomed. Set in 1790, Kate Beckinsale plays Lady Susan Vernon, an 18th century cuckoo-like 'MILF' (actually, more 'LILF', but using the 'Lady' term loosely) who with her glamorous demeanour is lusted after by both younger beaus as well as married aristocracy: an example being Lord Manwaring (Lochlann O'Mearáin).

Love and friendship jane