Our Review

           Movie: THE TROUBLE WITH JESSICA

                    Rating: NR, strong language                     

                               Length: 1:29

                  Release Date: April 25, 2025

Jeanne: THE TROUBLE WITH JESSICA certainly isn’t perfect, but then what film is? But, as a dark comedy, it pretty much fits the description. One couple invites their best friends over for dinner. They bring along a mutual friend --- one who is famous for causing trouble. What could possibly go wrong --- it’s only one dinner.

Sarah (Shirley Henderson) and Tom (Alan Tudyk) are in the middle of a financial crisis. They own a very fashionable home in London which they are trying to sell. They have finally found a buyer, so they invite their friends Richard (Rufus Sewell) and Beth (Olivia Williams) for one final dinner. Much to Sarah and Tom’s dismay, Richard and Beth bring along Jessica (Indira Varma).

It's not long before Jessica starts flirting with Tom --- and Richard. She has recently published a book, and everything seems on the up-and-up for Jessica. But following an inconsequential argument during dinner, Jessica retreats to the garden where she hangs herself. Sarah freaks out --- not because Jessica is dead, but rather if their buyer finds out, the sale could fall through.

Sarah proposes that the four besties take Jessica’s body back to her apartment and rehang her there. Beth is appalled and refuses to help. Tom is unsure how to proceed and Richard’s only concern is his potential disbarment.

Things come to a head when Sarah and Tom’s real estate agent calls to ask permission to bring over the buyers, Miranda (Anne Reid) and Klaus (Sylvester Groth), to see the home before Klaus leaves town on business. They need to hide Jessica’s body fast --- but where?

The dark comedy genre is a favorite of mine and THE TROUBLE WITH JESSICA hits a few notes of hilarity perfectly. First, and foremost, who goes to someone else’s home and kills themself? That alone is hysterical, and the stunned reaction from the friends left behind is equally amusing. Then, when the sniping between the four of them begins, things get even darker. The police get involved, Klaus gets suspicious, and friendships are severely tested.

The acting is exceptional --- especially Henderson and Williams. These two women square off over the ethical ramifications, while the two men each harbor their own emotions regarding the deceased woman. Long-held secrets come to light and all four of these consummate thespians manage to hold their own during the chaos. Tudyk’s Tom wants to be a supportive husband, but even he questions Sarah’s plan. And Sewell --- so adept at playing the unfaithful rascal --- is masterful portraying Richard.

Directed by Matt Winn, who co-wrote the screenplay with James Handel, also composed the eclectic soundtrack with Matt Cooper. THE TROUBLE WITH JESSICA has a few holes and loses some of its biting humor towards the end of the film but still manages to make some thought-provoking observations about a darkly serious matter like suicide. Winn accomplishes this all while bringing to light our human foibles and hypocrisies.

Opinion: Mild See It Now!

David: When five people sit down at one of the couple’s homes for dinner, only four are still alive by the end of the evening. Such is the plot for THE TROUBLE WITH JESSICA, which is billed as a dark comedy.

The trouble with THE TROUBLE WITH JESSICA is that it isn’t particularly funny. Jeanne laughed way more than yours truly, and while there are a few laugh-out-loud moments, there’s not enough here to recommend this film.

Richard (Rufus Sewell) and Tom (Alan Tudyk) are married to Beth (Olivia Williams) and Sarah (Shirley Henderson) respectively. Jessica (Indira Varma) is the fifth wheel who has recently authored a book that is doing very well. But not so well that it alters her suicidal thoughts.

The movie spends most of its time with the two married couples discussing and frequently arguing about what to do with Jessica’s body. Call the police --- or not? Move the body --- or not?

The other wrinkle in the story is that Tom and Sarah --- under heavy financial stress --- have found a buyer for their home. That individual, Klaus (Sylvester Groth), shows up to sign the contract to purchase the home. Of course, Tom and Sarah are frantic that Jessica’s body may be discovered on the premises. Once Klaus enters the fray the laugh meter goes up a bit. One enduring joke involves Tom’s specialty as a cook, something called clafoutis. When two cops come around to the house, one espies the dessert and asks for a helping.

THE TROUBLE WITH JESSICA is directed by Matt Winn who co-wrote the screenplay with James Handel. The two filmmakers create pauses in the film by using chapter-like headings that all start with “The Trouble With…” I didn’t have a problem with this strategy --- although it did not make the script any funnier --- the purpose of which is to tell the viewer what will follow. For example, when the movie pauses, and the heading is “The Trouble With Guilt”, we suspect that the characters will be undergoing some sort of catharsis. On the other hand, do we really need these hints to understand the script?  

Humor is such a subjective thing. Before she kills herself, Jessica tells the group that she was once raped. A few minutes later she recants and tells her friends she was only kidding. Is that supposed to be funny? Overall, while the comic attempts in THE TROUBLE WITH JESSICA mostly escaped me, the presence of Sewell and Tudyk make it tolerable.

Opinion: Wait for VOD