Stuart: A Life Backwards (2007) (TV)

Director:

David Attwood

Writer:

Alexander Masters (biography)

Release Date:

23 September 2007 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A writer (Cumberbatch) takes a backwards look at the life of his unlikely friend Stuart (Hardy), a homeless alcoholic who experienced a traumatic event in his childhood.

Plot Keywords:

Writer | Alcoholic | Homeless | Backwards | Suicide

Awards:

6 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Benedict Cumberbatch	...	Alexander Masters
Tom Hardy	...	Stuart Shorter
Nicola Duffett	...	Judith
Claire-Louise Cordwell	...	Karen
Edna Doré	...	Gran
Candis Nergaard	...	Sophie
Joanna Maude	...	Ruth
Trevor Sellers	...	John
Barbara Barnes	...	Wintercomfort Secretary
Hugh Armstrong	...	Old Drunk
George Anton	...	Dangerous Ginger
Dominic Kemp	...	Academic Man
Shenagh Govan	...	Bookish Woman
Caroline Parker	...	Deaf Jackie
Richard Cant	...	Dainty Man

Runtime:

UK:90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Norway:10 (TV rating)

Filming Locations:

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The Post Office featured in 1979 and 1993 scenes is the former Post Office (now an empty shop) at Fen Ditton, near Cambridge.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Alexander lets Stuart into his house for the first time (about 7-8 minutes into the film) the shadow of the camera falls on the door as he closes it.

It's good again, again and again...

The first time I saw this film was actually just a coincidence. The movie that I was supposed to watch in the first place was broadcast an hour later than it stood in the paper, so when I turned on the channel I for some reason stopped zapping around and watched the film.

Afterwards I wasn't disappointed at neither the news paper or the film itself - I'm actually more than glad that there was a printing error on just that particular day! Otherwise I probably wouldn't have known about it! Both Cumberbatch and Hardy are superb in their roles, and the rest of the cast are also very convincing. It feels like they actually are the actual persons they represent and not just actors, which is rare in many today's regular movies.

So if you haven't watched it, see it! I loved it the first time I saw it and after eight times I still do. This drama-documentary is highly recommended.