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:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Official Sites:

BBC [UK] HBO [United States]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 2007 (UK)

Also Known As:

Stjuart: Zivot Unatraske

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch's first film together; they later starred together again in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011).

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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.

User Reviews

Brilliant and empathetic

Really worth watching. A great performance by Tom Hardy (it's serious but the comic parts are done very brilliantly too, with a touch of Boycie from Only Fools and Horses).

Benedict Cumberbatch was very good.

The greatest thing here is the script. And the greatest lines come from Stuart Shorter. He seems like he was a very intelligent and very capable man who had a hard life and who made some bad choices. The film neither glorifies nor judges, just presents. Very good writing (or transcribing from the man) and good film making.

Really worth watching.