Johnny English

Johnny English (2003), directed by Peter Howitt, is a British spy comedy. Rowan Atkinson plays Johnny English, a bumbling MI7 agent who becomes Britain's last hope when every other spy is killed at a funeral.

John Malkovich plays Pascal Sauvage, a French businessman who plans to steal the Crown Jewels and make himself King of England. Natalie Imbruglia plays Lorna Campbell, a mysterious woman who may or may not be on Johnny's side. Ben Miller plays Bough, Johnny's patient and capable assistant who quietly fixes every disaster his boss creates. The film runs one hour and 28 minutes.

Why You Should Watch

Rowan Atkinson does what he does best. He plays a man with total confidence and no ability. Johnny believes he is James Bond. He walks into rooms as though the world should stop. Then he falls over, shoots the wrong person, or crowns the villain King of England. The comedy works because Atkinson commits to every moment without winking at the camera.

John Malkovich plays the villain with a French accent and a straight face that makes the silliness around him funnier. Ben Miller holds the film together as Bough. Every great fool needs a sensible person beside him, and Bough fills that role with a quiet loyalty that earns real affection. The film is short, light, and does not ask more of itself than it can deliver. It knows it is a comedy and plays to its strengths.

Favourite Quote

"I have been shot, Bough." "No, sir. You have not."

Johnny insists he has been hit after a chase that went wrong in every way. The exchange captures the whole film. Johnny lives in a version of events that has nothing to do with what actually happened, and Bough gently pulls him back to earth.

Takeaway

Confidence without skill is a dangerous thing, but it makes for fine comedy. The film teaches that the people behind the hero often do the real work. Underestimating a fool can be a mistake, because luck sometimes does what talent cannot. And a loyal partner who stays calm when everything falls apart is worth more than any gadget.

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