Stuart: A Life Backwards (TV 2007)

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.

Director:

David Attwood

Writer:

Alexander Masters (biography)

Stars:

Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy, Nicola Duffett

6 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

When Stuart Shorter - a homeless alcoholic with a violent past - meets writer and charity worker Alexander Masters, they strike up an unlikely friendship. As Alexander learns more about Stuart's complicated life and traumatic childhood, he asks if he can write his story and Stuart advises him to tell the story backwards, so that it's "More exciting - like a Tom Clancy murder mystery". As their remarkable alliance develops, Stuart gradually recounts his life story in reverse, his resilient personality and dry sense of humour giving the story an almost tragi-comic edge. Through post office heists, attempts at suicide and spells inside numerous institutions, Alexander is given a glimpse into a totally alien world and begins to understand how Stuart's life spiralled so badly out of control.

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Plot Keywords:

backwards | alcoholic | writer | suicide | police car | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

BBC [uk] HBO [us]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 2007 (UK)

Also Known As:

Stjuart: Zivot Unatraske

Filming Locations:

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), HBO Films, Knifedge

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

Stuart Shorter: What a load of bollocks! Who needs the queen?

User Reviews

Moving

I watched this movie expecting something formulaic and contrived, the trailers seemed to bait you using voyeuristic clips with dramatic lighting and contrasting images, but it turns out this is a true story and the writer cleverly manages to play with your feelings to get you to dislike the main character. I fell into this trap and actually found Stuart really annoying to begin with but by the end of this movie his life story unravels and you realise how easy it is to judge people on face value. It's a remarkable and sad story that has elements we must all connect with, either through guilt or empathy, I was absorbed. Alexander Masters manages to show us a real life story that mocks all the the trivial, money-spinning, pathetic and ridiculous books that publishers churn out from the likes of tit-models like Jordan or Robbie Williams.