This fantasy comedy adventure, starring Jim Carrey, is based on the darkly comic stories of Lemony Snicket, the pseudonymous children's author. Directed by Brad Silberling and released at Christmas 2004, it did well at the box office, probably due to the absence of a Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter movie at that time.
Three orphaned children are passed from one eccentric guardian to another following their parents' mysterious demise, with the conniving Count Olaf - a distant relative played by Carrey - taking a keen interest in their welfare. But this master of deception has his eyes firmly set on swindling the children out of the fortune they are due to inherit.
Carrey is strong, OTT and irritating in equal measure as the Count, there are good performances from the children and a fine performance by Meryl Streep as Aunt Josephine. Slightly uneven in places, it's still a good, solid family film.
Lemony Snicket's a Series of Unfortunate Events is a Film programme that first aired in 2004 and has been classified a PG certificate.
