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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Mike Leigh (written by)
Release Date:
14 January 2000 (USA) more
Tagline:
The egos. The battles. The words. The music. The women. The scandals. more
Plot:
After Gilbert and Sullivan's latest play is critically panned, the frustrated team threatens to disband until they are inspired to do their masterpiece, "The Mikado." full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Won 2 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 22 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(13 articles)
"Clash of the Titans" Begins Shooting!!!!
(From Manny the Movie Guy. 28 April 2009, 8:34 AM, PDT)
DVD Review: Sally Hawkins Shines in Mike Leigh’s Fantastic ‘Happy-Go-Lucky’
(From HollywoodChicago.com. 16 March 2009, 10:44 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
For the Love of the Theatre more (182 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Allan Corduner | ... | Sir Arthur Sullivan | |
| Dexter Fletcher | ... | Louis | |
| Sukie Smith | ... | Clothilde | |
| Roger Heathcott | ... | Banton | |
| Wendy Nottingham | ... | Helen Lenoir | |
| Stefan Bednarczyk | ... | Frank Cellier | |
| Geoffrey Hutchings | ... | Armourer | |
| Timothy Spall | ... | Richard Temple (The Mikado) | |
| Francis Lee | ... | Butt | |
| William Neenan | ... | Cook | |
| Adam Searle | ... | Shrimp | |
| Martin Savage | ... | George Grossmith (Ko-Ko) | |
| Jim Broadbent | ... | W. S. Gilbert | |
| Lesley Manville | ... | Lucy Gilbert | |
| Kate Doherty | ... | Mrs. Judd |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Mike Leigh Untitled (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for a scene of risque nudity.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
160 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:L | Sweden:11 (TV rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:14A (Alberta) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Chile:14 | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:AL | New Zealand:M | Portugal:M/12 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:R | Canada:PG (British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
There are two Shakespearean quotes. The first is a line from Macbeth Act III, Scene 3 "O horror, horror, horror!...", spoken by Gilbert at breakfast in relation to the prospects for an extended run for 'Princess Ida'. The second is from Othello, Act I, Scene1 : "What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe,/ If he can carry 't thus!" , spoken at the restaurant when discussing General Gordon's death at Khartoum. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Length of Sullivan's cigarette and ash during their lengthy discussion more
Quotes:
Sullivan:
This work with Gilbert is quite simply killing me.
Richard D'Oyly Carte:
Working with Gilbert would kill anybody.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "British Film Forever: Corsets, Cleavage and Country Houses: The Story of British Costume Drama (#1.4)" (2007) more
Soundtrack:
Mi-Ya-Sa-Ma more
FAQ
What was Leonora Braham's "little problem" that management was questioning her about?Was George Grossmith really a morphine addict?
What was wrong with Jessie Bond's leg?
more
more (182 total)
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George Martin once talked about he and John Lennon once having a drink in a British pub. One of the regulars went over to the jukebox and selected "Yesterday." Lennon sighed, turned to Martin and said, "Don't suppose anyone's going to put in 'I am the Walrus?'" Martin went on to suggest that as frustrated as Lennon was of Paul McCartney's "Granny Music," he also couldn't deny McCartney's talent and the ease with which he came up with unforgettable melodies.
One senses the same kind of rivalry between Arthur Sullivan and William Gilbert in Mike Leigh's "Topsy-Turvy." Gilbert and Sullivan were both famous for their hilarious musical comedies in the mid to late 1880s, especially their early hits "H.M.S. Pinafore" and "The Pirates of Penzance." But the film takes place later in their career and things are not boding well for the duo. Sullivan (Alan Corduner) is growing increasingly frustrated with his collaborations with Gilbert, because he feels he is not growing as a composer. "I'm growing tired of these soufflés with Gilbert and his topsy-turvvydom."
Gilbert (Jim Broadbent) is feeling the crunch himself. His latest production with Sullivan has resulted in questions concerning Gilbert's creative spark, as in whether he has one. If that isn't enough, the Savoy Theatre tells the frustrated Sullivan that he and Gilbert are contractually obligated to one more show. Gilbert presents Sullivan with an idea. Sullivan responds that the idea sounds like a remake of an earlier play.
Then inspiration comes from the most unlikely of places. A Japanese Exhibit is being held in London and Gilbert's wife, Kitty (Lesley Manville) forces him to accompany her. Reluctantly Gilbert goes and, reenergized, he picks up a souvenir Samurai sword. He meets with Sullivan again and tells him his idea: "The Mikado." Thus is born Gilbert and Sullivan's last hit play.
The next half of the film deals with the backstage politics and adventures that go with putting on a production. It is here where "Topsy-Turvy" goes into full gear and really begins to shine. Broadbent and Corduner also shine in their respective roles, as well. And it is here where I really paid attention to Leigh's characterizations. The two never had a very friendly relationship and Sullivan was openly bored with Gilbert's silly plays. I always took it for Gilbert being a really witty and good-humored man, and Sullivan being a snob. But Leigh has Sullivan as a fun-loving hedonist and Gilbert being unpersonable and sarcastic. He uses humor as a weapon. The film forced me to look at the two of them in a new light, and more importantly, I bought it.
But Leigh's real achievement is in presenting his supporting cast as three-dimensional characters. There's Richard Temple (Timothy Spall) who plays the Mikado and suffers near-betrayal at the hands of his mentor, Gilbert. Actresses Jessie Bond (Dorothy Atkinson) and Lenora Braham (Shirley Henderson) personify the reluctant acceptance of wearing a kimono with no corset. Leigh brings the same care to this period drama as he has done for his smaller ensemble pieces.
And care is what "Topsy-Turvy" is all about. As much as Sullivan may frown at Gilbert's wit, he still wants to create the best possible product he can. There's a great scene where Gilbert is explaining "The Mikado" to Sullivan and Sullivan is truly enjoying the story. He's got such a look of glee on his face throughout the scene. Corduner does a great job of contrasting his Sullivan with Broadbent's Gilbert, especially in his scenes with the orchestra as he patiently explains the score with his players.
Broadbent, on the other hand, is an absolute joy as Gilbert. Gilbert may not be a likable character, but he knows what he wants and he is good at what he does. He may be short with everyone and unbending, but he gets results.
Leigh shows a clear love for the theatre here, and the details are amazing all the way from the theatre set to the costumes, nothing is out of place. He also keeps the action moving in the film which totals almost three hours but never feels like it. That's very hard to do.
To be honest, I thought Leigh was jumping on the "Shakespeare in Love" bandwagon, but the films couldn't be more different. "Shakespeare in Love" celebrates love burgeoning creativity. "Topsy-Turvy" deals with the love of creativity itself and shows how people of different temperaments and tastes can still get together and produce greatness.
Topsy-Turvy ****