In the 1950s, a series of movies about a school of mischievous young girls were released in Britain. Today, writer Piers Ashworth has continued the concept with St Trinian’s; a modern take on the traditional concept and a veritable who’s who of (mainly) English stars and household names. Colin Firth is once more doused in water as he self-consciously mocks his ‘Jane Austen heartthrob’ reputation (why does he do this?), Stephen Fry appears as children’s game show ‘quizmaster’ who enjoys his job just a little too much, model Lilly Cole dons glasses and plays a dorky teenager, comedian Russell Brand is a dodgy character from the town’s crime-ridden underground and even The OC’s Misha Barton shows up in a completely unnecessary cameo appearance. And yet, in amongst all these icons, there can be no doubt as to who is the star of the show. That would, of course, be Rupert Everett.

The makers of this film have obviously opted to follow the path set out before them by Hairspray, and have stayed true to the film’s original concept by casting a man to play the school’s eccentric headmistress (even though they have altered so much else). And, though it’s easy to be sceptical about this decision, it has to be said that Everett rises to this occasion magnificently. Whether he’s carefully adding strokes to a still life painting, waltzing down the stairs inexplicably dressed in an Elizabethan gown, or painfully flirting with an ex-lover (played by Firth), Everett’s complete completely exaggerated (yet always so serious) performance is genuinely hilarious. The rest of the story, and the rest of the stars, pale in comparison. I vaguely remember something about the school getting shut down, and the girls organising a full scale heist in the hope of scoring enough money to keep the institution going. No doubt 13-year-old girls will be more appreciative of this storyline, with its irreverent glorification of mischief and, of course, the obligatory make-over scene. Certainly, don’t go out of your way to see St Trinian’s, but, if you’re forced to, don’t panic. There are worse films out there.

Rating: 6.5