Did I see the same film as these other people? The movie's title comes from an old lawyer joke (told in the film): scientists experiment on lawyers because there are some things rat's just won't do. One of those things was to agree to star in this flat romantic comedy.As in many romcoms, the outcome is predictable from the very opening scenes. But getting there is, in this case, no fun at all. How can one like a film that suggests that a woman should sleep with a cad just because he's willing to embarrass himself a bit in public--especially when the embarrassment is a coldly calculated attempt to get her into bed? But that's not the worst of it. True, there are some funny moments, but all in all the movie is a bore. The lead characters are uninteresting and (except for Peter Capaldi) uncharismatic. Every major character in the film eventually establishes themselves as someone who is not to be trusted, if not a downright scumbag. And the number of (sadly predictable) plot coincidences must be some kind of record. You don't just have to suspend disbelief to see this movie, you have to throw it off the Burj Khalifa and then bury it in a fracking hole.

Why, oh why, isn't this movie on DVD??I found this movie by accident on TV and it is one of my favorite romantic comedies, and one I can recommend to my rom-com-loving friends. For someone who loves London, the locations used in shooting are a delight. (The scenes shot there were a reason I visited the Middle Temple on my last trip....it is a thoroughly delightful part of London.)) I think this movie is really well done.....I highly enjoy the scene outside the Temple Church, with two background scenes silently going on, one on each side of a pillar behind the two protagonists. This is a wry, witty, entertaining movie.

"What Rats Won't Do" is an excellent, romantic-comedy about lawyers in London. Kate Beckenham (Natascha McElhone) is a young, attractive barrister who is up against a superstar lawyer, Jack Sullivan (James Frain). Sullivan has never lost a case. Beckenham is planning her wedding to a complete idiot(Valentine Pelka) but she inevitably falls for Sullivan after initially disliking him. The case involves a beautiful, American twenty-something(Parker Posey)who is left $30 million by her septuagenarian husband. Her husband's middle aged son (Charles Dance) contests the will, claiming that Posey's character manipulated the old man into leaving her everything. Dance hires Beckenham, and Posey hires Sullivan.Although "Rats" was predictable the script was witty and fun. As a Brit living in the U.S. it was nice to be reminded of the old country. The cast were all excellent, apart from Ms. Posey who chewed the scenery. The strong supporting cast included Michael Gough, Peter Capaldi and Samantha Bond. The director, Alastair Reid, was a veteran of British TV. The highlight of his career was probably the mini-series "Traffik," which was later adapted by Stephen Soderbergh and became the Oscar-winning drama 'Traffic.'

In London, the lawyer Kate Beckenham (Natascha McElhone) is near to her wedding day with her fiancé Graham (Valentine Pelka), when she is invited to defend a heritage case against the brilliant lawyer Jack Sullivan (James Frain), who has never lost a case in court. The twenty-one years old American Mirella Burton (Parker Posey) is disputing fifteen millions of pounds and some properties against Gerald Burton Jr (Charles Dance), the inherited son of her deceased husband. During the trial, the romantic Kate falls in love for Jack, and sees the case in another perspective."What Rats Won't Do" is a very British romantic-comedy, but also very pleasant. In spite of having many jokes with the British peculiarities and behavior, the enjoyable story is very supported by the nice cast and the good chemistry between the gorgeous Natascha McElhone and James Frain. In the end, love wins and this movie entertains, without being special. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "Um Caso de Amor" ("A Love Affair")