The Abduction Club

SYNOPSIS

Despite a lingering whiff of Georgette Heyer, this historical romp has a pleasingly anachronistic undertone that prevents it from feeling like a Sunday evening serial. Set in 18th-century Ireland, when second sons were wont to kidnap heiresses in order to persuade them to marry, thereby avoiding the priesthood or the army, Stefan Schwartz's boisterous adventure is soon slowed by stereotypical characters and clichéd dialogue. However, Daniel Lapaine and Matthew Rhys are suitably dashing as the headstrong suitors seeking to keep spirited sisters Sophia Myles and Alice Evans out of the clutches of nouveau riche cad Liam Cunningham. It's like Hammer without the horror, just lashings of irony.