Atkinson: My film career's not been good

4 Weddings was the only decent one

Rowan Atkinson has admitted that Four Weddings And A Funeral was his only decent film.

The comic headlined two Mr Bean films and spy spoof Johnny English, and also featured in several others comedies such as Love Actually, Scooby-Doo, Rat Race and Ben Elton’s Maybe Baby.

However, he said 1994’s Four Weddings, in which he had a brief but memorable appearance as a nervous priest, is the only movie of which he is proud.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, 53-year-oldAtkinson said: ‘My problem is that, although the films have undoubtedly been commercially successful, and some will be looked on in 20 years’ time as worthy or successful or funny, an awful lot of what we have done has not been good film-making. We usually slightly missed the target.

‘I remember looking up Johnny English in a film guide, and it said “intermittently hilarious” — quite a good description of five good jokes and a lot of longueurs.

‘I find it frustrating that, apart from Four Weddings and a Funeral, I have yet to be involved in a film of which I am totally proud.’

Atkinson, who said to have earned £70 million from his comedy career, gave the interview to promote his forthcoming role as Fagin in the West End revival of Oliver!

Published: 2 Nov 2008

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