The Hippopotamus

"The mystery that serves as the story’s engine (...) never really gets humming. Against the rich, voluminous linguistic calisthenics (...) the rest of the story tends to blur. And Allam pretty much compensates for the missing dramatic oomph." 

"Roger Allam elevates a wonky country house mystery (...) It’s still a pleasure, and often a joy, to watch the star measuring out and savouring Fry’s rich wordplay (…) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)" 

"This quirky comedy only occasionally sputters into life (...) This bawdy romp consistently stumbles over its more contrived excesses (…) Rating: ★★ (out of 5)" 

"A towering, at times monumentally good central performance from the character actor Roger Allam stands at the heart of 'The Hippopotamus', but it is entirely alone. This is a belated adaptation (…) Rating: ★★ (out of 5)" 

"Underwhelming (...) The script is just dull, regurgitating Fry’s book in the most lumpen, unimaginative fashion (...) A most unlikeable film (…) Rating: ★★ (out of 5)" 

"Roger Allam’s admirable range of profanities apart, this story of miraculous events at an English country house stretches credibility and patience (…) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)" 

"[A] patchy but lively adaptation (...) Allam carries the film (…) Rating: ★★ (out of 5)"