Fackham Hall – A Rapid-Fire, Witty Downton Abbey Spoof Which Is Pleasantly Ephemeral.

Perhaps the feeling of end times around us: following a long period of inactivity, the comedic send-up is making a return. This summer observed the revival of this playful category, which, at its best, lampoons the pretensions of overly serious genre with a torrent of exaggerated stereotypes, sight gags, and stupid-clever puns.

Playful times, apparently, create an appetite for self-awarely frivolous, gag-packed, refreshingly shallow fun.

The Newest Entry in This Absurd Wave

The latest of these goofy parodies comes in the form of Fackham Hall, a parody of Downton Abbey that needles the very pokeable self-importance of gilded UK historical series. Penned in part by stand-up performer Jimmy Carr and overseen by Jim O'Hanlon, the feature finds ample of material to mine and wastes none of it.

Opening on a absurd opening all the way to its outrageous finale, this entertaining aristocratic caper fills each of its runtime with gags and sketches ranging from the juvenile all the way to the genuinely funny.

A Pastiche of Upstairs, Downstairs

Similar to Downton, Fackham Hall delivers a caricature of overly dignified rich people and overly fawning staff. The plot revolves around the feckless Lord Davenport (played by a wonderfully pretentious Damian Lewis) and his book-averse wife, Lady Davenport (Katherine Waterston). Following the loss of their children in separate tragic accidents, their plans now rest on marrying off their two girls.

One daughter, Poppy (Emma Laird), has secured the dynastic aim of betrothal to the right kinsman, Archibald (a perfectly smarmy Tom Felton). Yet when she pulls out, the pressure falls upon the unattached elder sister, Rose (Thomasin McKenzie), who is a "dried-up husk at 23 and and possesses dangerously modern ideas concerning women's independence.

Where the Comedy Lands Most Effectively

The film is significantly more successful when satirizing the stifling norms forced upon early 20th-century women – a subject frequently explored for po-faced melodrama. The stereotype of respectable, enviable womanhood supplies the richest material for mockery.

The plot, as is fitting for a purposefully absurd parody, takes a back seat to the bits. The co-writer delivers them coming at a pleasantly funny rate. Included is a homicide, a bungled inquiry, and a forbidden romance featuring the roguish street urchin Eric Noone (Ben Radcliffe) and Rose.

A Note on Lighthearted Fun

The entire affair is for harmless amusement, but that very quality comes with constraints. The dialed-up absurdity inherent to parody can wear over time, and the entertainment value in this instance expires somewhere between sketch and feature.

Eventually, one may desire to retreat to stories with (very slight) reason. But, one must admire a genuine dedication to this type of comedy. In an age where we might to distract ourselves relentlessly, it's preferable to find the humor in it.