The Abduction Club

Ireland, the 1780s. As the younger sons of wealthy aristos, Byrne (LaPaine) and Strang (Rhys) are heirs to precisely nothing. Thus the dashing duo have no option but to join Sir Myles' secret society and hatch a plan to schmooze the rich Kennedy sisters with a view to abduction and, perhaps, marriage. Although the outcome's never in doubt, this enjoyable period rom com-cum-road movie on horseback still has plenty going for it. A galloping pace resolves the plot twists before they become irritating, and the four likeable leads are served by a nicely tuned script, the inevitable sparring sounding modern and fresh rather than tediously ironic. It's well shot, too: the Irish countryside never looks less than lovely despite the dreadful weather.