Keeping Mum

  • 2005
  • R
  • 103m
movieMx RATING
6.7/10605
VERDICT
HIT
Advertisement

Performance & Direction: Keeping Mum Review

Last updated: February 16, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 16, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Keeping Mum (2005) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Keeping Mum features a noteworthy lineup led by Rowan Atkinson . Supported by the likes of Kristin Scott Thomas and Maggie Smith , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of Keeping Mum (2005) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, Keeping Mum stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: Keeping Mum

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2005, Keeping Mum is a Comedy film directed by Niall Johnson. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Rowan Atkinson.

Story Breakdown

The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. A pastor preoccupied with writing the perfect sermon fails to realize that his wife is having an affair and his children are up to no good. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.

Narrative Structure

  • Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
  • Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Rowan Atkinson's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.

Ending Explained: Keeping Mum

Ending Breakdown: Directed by Niall Johnson, Keeping Mum concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.

The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions involving Rowan Atkinson, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of Keeping Mum reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch Keeping Mum?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Rowan Atkinson or the director
  • Want some laughs and light entertainment

Box Office Collection: Keeping Mum

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $169.0K
Worldwide Gross $18.6M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

Keeping Mum Budget

The estimated production budget for Keeping Mum is $169.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

Advertisement

Top Cast: Keeping Mum

All Cast & Crew →
Rowan Atkinson
Rowan AtkinsonWalter Goodfellow
Kristin Scott Thomas
Kristin Scott ThomasGloria Goodfellow
Maggie Smith
Maggie SmithGrace Hawkins
Tamsin Egerton
Tamsin EgertonHolly Goodfellow
Toby Parkes
Toby ParkesPetey Goodfellow
Liz Smith
Liz SmithMrs. Parker
Emilia Fox
Emilia FoxRosie Jones
James Booth
James BoothMr. Brown
Patrick Monckton
Patrick MoncktonBob - Pond Workman
Rowley Irlam
Rowley IrlamTed - Pond Workman
Vivienne Moore
Vivienne MooreMrs. Martin
Advertisement

Where to Watch Keeping Mum Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Amazon VideoAmazon Video

🏷️ Buy on

Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube

Keeping Mum Parents Guide & Age Rating

2005 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Keeping Mum age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Keeping Mum is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Keeping Mum is 103 minutes (1h 43m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.7/10, and global performance metrics, Keeping Mum is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2005 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for Keeping Mum. Rating: 6.7/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Keeping Mum worth watching?

Keeping Mum is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Keeping Mum parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Keeping Mum identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Keeping Mum?

The total duration of Keeping Mum is 103 minutes, which is approximately 1h 43m long.

Best Movies to Watch if you liked Keeping Mum

How Keeping Mum Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for Keeping Mum

No reviews found for this filter.

🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

Advertisement
Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.7
Keeping Mum
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/keeping-mum-9687" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.7</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">Keeping Mum</div></div></a>

Share this rating on your blog or website. Includes a 100% organic backlink.

More with Rowan Atkinson

View full filmography