Beginning in 1881 and taking us through to 1930 this is the story of famous artist Louis Wain (Benedict Cumberbatch) who was most well known for his extraordinary pictures of cats. 

Wain’s life was beset by tragedy at various points and given his clearly undiagnosed mental illness it is a wonder how he managed to traverse life’s hurdles so well. Only by virtue of his family’s status, his artistic talent, his adoring wife and his family and friends is he able to keep his head above water. 

His wife Emily (Claire Foy) introduces him to his love of cats and their first pet called Peter. Her love is what encourages him to find beauty in the world and give it others via his pictures. His sister Caroline (Andrea Wiseborough) does her best to manage the household that consists of four other sisters and his mother although their financial woes never go away. And his employer Sir William Ingram (Toby Jones) looks out for him and his family because he is enamoured by Wain’s idiosyncrasies and ability to bring people joy. 

As a whole the plot and story is perfectly amiable. Its goal is to give us a whimsical look at Wain’s life and the manner in which he coped with his mental illness. Occasionally my cynical nature would take over and just consider how different that life would have been without his status, artistry and those around him. But in the end I was won over by the whimsical rather than the cynical. 

Stylistically it’s at its most interesting when it’s trying to convey the painted art of Wain’s pictures in real life. But these moments are a little few and far between. 

Its real master stroke however is in casting. Cumberbatch and Foy are the sort of actors who seem to be made for period films and they really excel as the loving odd couple. Cumberbatch of course is no stranger to portraying a peculiar ‘touched’ man and could do this role in his sleep. The film has gathered a stunning array of talent around them as well though. Olivia Colman narrated the story with aplomb whilst the likes of Adeel Akhtar, Taika Waititi, Richard Ayoade, Julian Barratt, Sophia Di Martini and Nick Cave all turn up in supporting roles. Some of which are blink and you will miss them, all of which add a weight and tone to the film’s central endeavour. 

I do not think it is a film that will live long in your memory but it is an entertaining prospect whilst it is there. Hang around for the first half of the credits to get a better glimpse at Wain’s art.