The Dresser (2015)

A drama, based on a successful play, about an aging actor and his personal assistant.

Director:

Richard Eyre

Writers:

Richard Eyre (adapted by), Ronald Harwood (based on the play by)

Stars:

Anthony Hopkins, Ian McKellen, Emily Watson

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Anthony Hopkins	...	Sir
Ian McKellen	...	Norman
Emily Watson	...	Her Ladyship
Sarah Lancashire	...	Madge
Edward Fox	...	Thornton
Vanessa Kirby	...	Irene
Tom Brooke	...	Oxenby
Ian Conningham	...	Kent
John Ashton	...	Gloucester
Helen Bradbury	...	Regan
Annalisa Rossi	...	Goneril
Carl Sanderson	...	Cornwall
Matthew Cottle	...	Albany
Martin Chamberlain	...	Gentleman

Storyline

In the closing months of World War Two ageing actor 'Sir' and his wife Her Ladyship bring Shakespeare to the provinces with a company depleted by conscription. 'Sir' is plainly unwell, discharging himself from hospital and Her Ladyship believes he should cancel his upcoming performance of 'King Lear'. However Norman, his outspoken, gay dresser disagrees and is determined that the show will go on, cajoling the confused 'Sir' into giving a performance - one which will be his swansong, at the same time drawing a parallel between King Lear and his fool as Norman, despite ultimate disappointment, serves his master.

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Plot Keywords:

actor | world war two | personal assistant | older man younger woman relationship | deathbed | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 May 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Påklädaren

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC),Playground Entertainment,Sonia Friedman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although "Sir" is based on Sir Donald Wolfit, the action has been transplanted back in time to World War II, a time when the real Wolfit, far from being an elderly actor, poor in health, and prone to lapses in memory, was only about forty, and at the height of his powers.

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Connections

Version of The Dresser (1983)

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Soundtracks

Fanfare
Composed and Performed by Randy Dunn

User Reviews

Far Less than Movie

The lead actors, great theatrical geniuses both, convey an absolute disinterest in their roles and only put forward what their particular personas can convey in this. Though the adaptation makes more sense than the original film, the actors are just walking through their parts to make a few bucks as compared to the care Finney and Courtenay put in their roles in the original. Of course, considering their talents I was impressed by their expected competence -- but watch the original to see better performances.