Topsy Turvy Movie Review 1999

The very contemporary Leigh takes a pass at Victorian England for his very long and chatty look at life in the theatre. His focus is on the comic-opera partnership of irascible lyricist W.S. Gilbert (Broadbent) and pleasure-loving composer, Sir Arthur Sullivan (Corduner). Their latest creation (after 10 hits) is a flop, causing a serious rift but Gilbert, after a visit to a Japanese art exhibit, is inspired to write "The Mikado" and pulls Sullivan back in. The film then follows the production of the opera from rehearsal to the 1885 premiere with all its difficulties and triumphs.

Distribution

USA Home Entertainment, 1 W. Forest, Englewood, NJ 07631-4004, Phone: (201)871-1000, URL: http://www.polygram-us.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 160 minutes.
Originally from British.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Showbiz Dramas, Biopics: Showbiz, London, Stagestruck, Period Piece: 19th Century

Screenplay

Mike Leigh

Cast

Jim Broadbent, Allan Corduner, Leslie Manville, Eleanor David, Ron Cook, Timothy Spall, Kevin McKidd, Mark Benton, Shirley Henderson, Martin Savage, Jessie Bond

Cinematography

Dick Pope

Director

Mike Leigh

Music

Carl Davis

Producer

Simon Channing-Williams, Thin Man, October Films

Awards

Oscars 1999: Costume Des., Makeup; British Acad. 1999: Makeup; N.Y. Film Critics 1999: Director (Leigh), Film; Natl. Soc. Film Critics 1999: Director (Leigh), Film.