Stuart: A Life Backwards (2007)

A writer takes a backwards look at the life of his unlikely friend Stuart, 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:

male frontal nudity | male full frontal nudity | homelessness | pubic hair | male pubic hair | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Did You Know?

Trivia

With Tom Hardy being a method actor, he lost weight in preparation for filming to give his character the thin look of the drug addict and suicidal figure Stuart Shorter was in real life.

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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: My name is Psycho but you can call me Stuart if you want.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojoUK: Top 5 Tom Hardy Films You've Never Seen (2018)

User Reviews

warm hard hitting brilliance

This film is outstanding. Hardy has done a fantastic portrayal of stuart. This i know as my husband knew stuart shorter. The film is funny in places and warm hearted, but also very hard hitting. It made me cry because of how sad stuart was towards the end of his life. An alcohol drug addicted man who didn't see any real way out of his lifestyle. "convict curry" makes me laugh each time i watch it. I've lost count of how many times i have watched this film. I also have the book which is also a must have. This shows how two people from very very different backgrounds can become a huge part of each others life. And just how dark and sad somebody can become because of awful events in their life. Overall i love this film and if ever i did have the pleasure to meet mr tom hardy i would shake his hand and thank him for his superb work.

Details

Official Sites:

BBC [UK] HBO [United States]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 2007 (UK)

Also Known As:

Stuart: A Life Backwards

Filming Locations:

Norfolk, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), HBO Films, Knifedge

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1