I enjoyed it quite a bit actually, even 20 years later. It also took me back pleasantly, because 20 years ago, I even went to many of the filming locations as part of a job I was working on in the UK – in particular, Corsham Court in Wiltshire, which was home to the dining room where much of the politicking takes place.

Oh yes. On paper it must’ve seemed like a good idea. The sepia-toned cinematography is first class, the sound-track is creepy, and the leads – Hall, Dominic West, Imelda Staunton – are great. But it falls flat on the script which just isn’t scary. Sorry. You can tell it’s weak because it’s ambiguous at the end: Does she die? Is she herself a ghost? I found myself not much caring.

The Awakening filmed at the Palladian Lyme Park in Cheshire – you’ll probably recognize the exteriors as Pemberly, from the Beeb’s 1995 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice.

Both movies cover similar tales, with similar themes, handled in largely similar ways; a wealthy but afflicted upper-class type receives life lessons and ultimately absolution, through an unlikely friendship with a salt-of-the-earth, force-of-nature, working class hero. Think Driving Miss Daisy or Will Smith’s hokey sidekick in The Legend of Bagger Vance.

Now don’t get me wrong; my heart absolutely loved The Intouchables – it’s hugely good natured, entertaining, laugh-out-loud funny, and I think well-meaning. Francois Cluzet, who has to act only with his head and face, is brilliant, and Omar Sy as the hired help is utterly winning. But in spite of this, my head still reeled somewhat from the more patronising Rita-esque comedy of class (let alone race, which caused the bigger consternation State-side.) The Intouchables filmed in Paris.