The world according to Louis Wain and his cats

In 1881, after the death of his father, Louis Wain becomes the primary breadwinner of his household, where he lives with his mother and five sisters, while working as a part-time illustrator for the Illustrated London News.

Editor Sir William Ingram wants him to go full-time, but despite the family finances being in tough shape, he initially says no, preferring to have some time for interests other than his art – not least attempting to get patents for his varied inventions and trying to compose an opera.

But his eldest sister Caroline, who has taken over running the house from their scatty mother, has hired a governess for the three younger girls, so Louis has to change his mind on the job offer.

Emily Richardson, the governess, is a hit in the household – and the eccentric Louis, who has never experienced romantic or sexual feelings before, finds that changing.

But after Emily causes an accidental scandal, Caroline decides to fire her – forcing Louis’s hand to start a courtship.

And once married, it is his wife who rescues a tiny kitten, who will then inspire Louis to start painting the cat pictures that were to make him famous – and had a major impact on the acceptability of keeping cats as pets in Victorian England.

This 2021 film, directed by Will Sharpe, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Simon Stephenson, is a whimsical biopic of a man who was, in many ways, very childlike and vulnerable.

Benedict Cumberbatch as Wain, and Claire Foy as Emily, are excellent leads, with Olivia Colman narrating and Toby Jones turning in a lovely supporting performance as Sir William.

There are also cameos to watch out from Taika Waititi, Richard Ayoade and Nick Cave – the latter, as HG Wells.

Erik Wilson’s cinematography feels both quirky in places and highly conventional in others, and it’s not certain that such a mix works perfectly. But in general, it’s a charming, sometimes funny and often moving, watch.