In 1817 an exotic looking girl, jabbering in an unknown tongue, appeared wandering in Devon where a kindly minister placed her into the care of local gentry. Her peculiarity gave rise to the theory she was an Eastern princess abducted by pirates and she became a sensation among the aristocracy.
This bizarre but true story is the basis for a charming comedy of airs and graces, deception and belief co-written by director Austin and actor John Wells, who plays the goodly Reverend Hunt. They have elaborated an intriguing story into a spirited fairy tale where all those who encounter the girl fall into her fantasy. Events are narrated by journalist Stephen Rea, whose fascination gives the film its romance and more salient points. "People believe two things," he says, "what they read in the newspapers and what they want to believe."
Cates, as the mysterious Caraboo, does little more than caper gracefully around. But she's surrounded by a terrific ensemble cast - John Sessions, Jim Broadbent and John Lithgow to name but three - who extract every commercial and caustic tone, while Kevin Kline, Cates' real-life hubbie, is a scream as a supercilious Greek butler.
Performances aside, however, one can't help but feel that the story's dramatic potential has been missed somewhat, turning a probably complex, even disturbed central figure into this Caraboo's rather bland minx. But this agreeable fable never proves anything less than light and gentle fun.