Plots with a View, released internationally as Undertaking Betty, is a 2002 British dark comedy written by Frederick Ponzlov, directed by Nick Huran, starring Brenda Blethyn, Alfred Molina, Christopher Walken, Naomi Watts, Lee Evans and Robert Pugh. The film began filming Caldicott, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK in 2002, and was released in the U.S. on November 12, 2005, with a DVD release on March 7, 2006.
| Plots with a View | |
|---|---|
 International theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Nick Hurran |
| Written by | Frederick Ponzlov |
| Produced by | Michael Cowan Suzanne Lyons Jason Piette Kate Robbins |
| Starring | Brenda Blethyn Alfred Molina Christopher Walken Naomi Watts Lee Evans Robert Pugh |
| Cinematography | Kevin Rudge James Welland |
| Edited by | John Richards |
| Music by | Rupert Gregson-Williams |
Release date | 2002 |
Running time | 88 minutes |
| Countries | United Kingdom United States Germany |
| Language | English |
Plot
Boris Plots, director of Plots Funeral Homes in the fictional Welsh village of Wrottin Powys, dreamed of only two things as a young boy: dancing and Betty. Betty secretly loved Boris, but could not fight her father's wishes, so she was married off to a gold digger. Boris gave up his dreams and took over the family's undertaking business. Everything has remained status quo in their lives until Betty's mother-in-law dies. Boris and Betty are thrust together again and as they discuss the funeral arrangements for Betty's mother-in-law, the old spark is rekindled.
Her funeral will be held at Plots Funeral Homes, much to the chagrin of rival funeral director, Frank Featherbed. Featherbed, an American, is determined to revolutionise the undertaking business in Britain through the innovation of "theme" funerals. Boris discovers that the only obstacle between their love for one another, is her marriage to the two-timing Mayor. In a desperate bid for happiness Boris and Betty decide to stage her death and run away together.
Cast
- Brenda Blethyn as Betty Rhys-Jones
- Alfred Molina as Boris Plots
- Christopher Walken as Frank Featherbed
- Naomi Watts as Meredith Mainwaring
- Lee Evans as Delbert Butterfield
- Robert Pugh as Hugh Rhys-Jones
- Miriam Margolyes as Thelma & Selma
Recognition
Reception
Awards & nominations
Plots with a View was nomiated for a Golden Hitchcock at the 2002 Dinard British Film Festival, and won a Cymru Award at the 2003 BAFTA Awards, Wales.