Martin Freeman’s forgotten 0%-rated British comedy with wildly odd cast lands new UK streaming home

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The 2011 British comedy Swinging With the Finkels, starring Martin Freeman, is now streaming on Prime Video in the UK. Though it received poor reviews and hasn’t remained well-known, the film centers on a married couple who try partner-swapping to revitalize their relationship.

I was really surprised by the cast for this little British comedy! It’s got Martin Freeman, just before he became famous for The Hobbit, and Angus Deayton, who I mostly know as a TV panelist, but he’s actually been in things like Nighty Night, Waterloo Road, and even One Foot in the Grave! It’s a pretty great mix of actors.

The movie features American actors Mandy Moore, who recently starred in Disney’s Tangled, Jonathan Silverman of Weekend at Bernie’s, and the beloved Jerry Stiller, known for his roles in Seinfeld, The King of Queens, and Zoolander – a film that also included his son, Ben Stiller, as a star, director, and writer.

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Melissa George, who was becoming well-known for her roles in shows like Home and Away and films like the remake of The Amityville Horror and 30 Days of Night, also appeared in the production.

Over on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has 19 reviews from critics — and 0% of them were positive.

In a scathing review, The Guardian described the film as a terrible sex comedy filled with unfunny jokes. They also highlighted a particularly awkward scene involving Angus Deayton, who appears briefly naked from the waist down, prompting sympathy for the actor.

Let’s feel sorry for Jerry Stiller, who unexpectedly found himself at a terrible party after his time on Seinfeld. It seems he took a wrong turn somewhere along the way.

Both We Got This Covered and Slant Magazine criticized the film. We Got This Covered found the characters flat and the romantic leads lacked believable connection, while Slant Magazine objected to the use of tired stereotypes regarding gay men and French people.

Both Variety and Total Film have noted a lack of quality in British sex comedies. Radio Times was even more critical, suggesting that British directors should be prohibited from making them altogether.

The audience seems to like it slightly more, with a 20% positive rating based on feedback from 500 users.

Swinging With the Finkels is available now with a Prime Video subscription.

The latest issue of Living Legends magazine is now available, and it’s a special tribute to Dolly Parton! You can find ‘Dolly at 80’ in shops or order it online for only £8.99.

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2026-01-14 21:19