Crime novelist Charles Condomine (Dan Stevens) is suffering a bout of writers block whilst trying to adapt one of his books into a screenplay. When he hires spiritualist Madame Arcati (Judi Dench) to conduct a seance at his home to help with his research she unexpectedly summons the spirit of his dead wife Elvira (Leslie Mann), much to the displeasure of his current wife Ruth (Isla Fisher). 

Adapted from the Noel Coward play the film keeps the 1930’s setting allowing for some fantastic costumes and period sensibilities to be ruffled. The main plot is a little scattershot jumping around in its focus between fraudulent mediums, troubled marriages and writers block whilst Elvira and Ruth’s like or dislike for Charles bounces around as needed for whatever is needed for a joke. Broadly speaking though it is amiable enough to keep you grinning throughout if not laughing out loud. 

Dan Stevens is the star of the show in a gloriously histrionic turn of a man on the edge juggling a dead wife, an alive wife and a deadline. Leslie Mann and Isla Fisher are also lots of fun whilst Judi Dench seems uncharacteristically flat. 

This is destined for Sunday evenings when you need something light and frothy to pass the time rather than a memorable must watch.