Hugh Laurie 40%, Toby Stephens 15%

Any foray by Hugh Laurie into costume drama always runs the risk of echoing his classic portrayal of Prince George in Blackadder. In Cousin Bette the fact that Hugh himself looks at odds with being an adulterer in seventeenth century Paris doesn't really help. To be fair though, the whole film is off-key.

The story is that of the downtrodden costumier Bette (Jessica Lange) who bags a young lover and vows revenge when he deserts her for her younger, prettier niece. Sounds promising but then the vindictiveness of it all and the lack of sympathetic characters make for a empty ride. The only genuine character is Elisabeth Shue's minxy actress and Toby Stephens is wasted as Hugh's spoilt son.

After two hours plus of amoral romping, screaming and flouncing skirts by this bunch of dissolute aristos, you definitely start to come round to the French Revolutionaries' point of view.

• Bonuses: Bob Hoskins, enjoying himself enormously and for the boys lots of glimpses of Shue's butt cheeks. No such luck though for Toby fans!