Maybe it’s because I was less than complimentary about Billy Crudup’s rather functional perfomance in Big Fish, or perhaps I was just in a sentimental mood as I settled down to watch this theatrical little tale, but I left it rather moved. No genius here, but a lot of heart ... Read review
She was the first of her kind. He was the last of his. England the 1660s: in the time ... more
when women's roles in live theatre are all played by men England's celebrated leading 'lady' is Edward (Crudup) who uses all his beauty and skill to make the parts...
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London 1660's, and actor Ned Kynaston (Billy Crudup - Almost Famous) is sitting pretty; ... more
the brightest star in restoration theatre. Women are forbidden to appear on stage, so the beautiful, brazen Ned shines in all the great female roles. Maria (Claire ...
Contemporary and edgy combinations of beautifully hued, longwearing and crease resistant ... more
eyeshadows by Nars. The sheer, wearable formulas can be layered for a more dramatic effect or used wet to create a cake eyeliner. In hip Nars packaging the Eye Shadow Duo is so desirable you'll want every colour combination!
Edward "Ned" Knyaston (Billy Crudup) is a beautiful man, and as an actor in 17th-century ... more
London that means he's quite popular portraying women, since females are forbidden to tread the boards. His mischievous air of entitlement, unfortunately, soon sets in motion a chain of events that will see King Charles II (Rupert Everett) lifting the ban on actresses, allowing Ned's devoted dresser, Maria (Claire Danes), to become the city's reigning theatrical diva.Director Richard Eyre (Iris) is still best known for his stage work, and it shows:Stage Beautyis rich in character and attention to detail, yet it doesn't have a popcorn-and-soda pop ease. Jeffrey Hatcher's well-observed script, based on his own play, romps a little self-consciously in Eyre's hands--you can tell it would like to beShakespeare in Loveif it could only relax. The gorgeous Crudup and dewy Danes don't quite click here, but the supporting cast is having a good time going way over-the-top, so if you're hungry for an elaborate historical confection there's enough here to satisfy your taste buds.--Steve Wiecking
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Edward "Ned" Knyaston (Billy Crudup) is a beautiful man, and as an actor in 17th-century ... more
London that means he's quite popular portraying women, since females are forbidden to tread the boards. His mischievous air of entitlement, unfortunately, soon sets in motion a chain of events that will see King Charles II (Rupert Everett) lifting the ban on actresses, allowing Ned's devoted dresser, Maria (Claire Danes), to become the city's reigning theatrical diva.Director Richard Eyre (Iris) is still best known for his stage work, and it shows:Stage Beautyis rich in character and attention to detail, yet it doesn't have a popcorn-and-soda pop ease. Jeffrey Hatcher's well-observed script, based on his own play, romps a little self-consciously in Eyre's hands--you can tell it would like to beShakespeare in Loveif it could only relax. The gorgeous Crudup and dewy Danes don't quite click here, but the supporting cast is having a good time going way over-the-top, so if you're hungry for an elaborate historical confection there's enough here to satisfy your taste buds.--Steve Wiecking
Postage & Packaging:£1.21 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: Crudup's surprising and engaging performance Disadvantages: rather predictable fare
...of her desire on the stage is finally given its outlet when one theatre takes the risk of putting a woman, Maria herself, on stage, in nothing less than the prized role of Desdemona. Enter a variety of characters from famed diarist Samuel Pepys (Hugh Bonneville) to Charles II (Rupert Everett) himself and his unstoppably coarse mistress, Nell Gwynn (Zoe Tapper) and Kynaston’s life and work are turned upside down as his star is quickly eclipsed ... ...Eyre’s simple direction. An esteemed stage director he draws the best from the stage-bound scenes but keeps to unobtrusive and visually compelling direction throughout. He moves quite seamlessly between gentle, misty landscape shots and speedy, almost documentary movement, switching then to unflinching close ups of a body undergoing the wracking spasms of agony. Finally, George Fenton’s score is unassumingly complementary, and much like ... more
Maybe it’s because I was less than complimentary about Billy Crudup’s rather functional perfomance in Big Fish, or perhaps I was just in a sentimental mood as I settled down to watch this theatrical little tale, but I left it rather moved. No genius here, but a lot of heart made it something worth watching, if not an urgent recommendation.
Seventeeth century English law decreed that it was illegal for a woman to take to the stage. As such, some male actors would specialise in playing women’s parts. Billy Crudup takes to the screen as Ned Kynaston, a beloved star of the stage, famed for his Desdemona, supported and secretly worshipped by his plucky dresser, Maria (Claire Danes). Her suppressed passion to emulate the object of her desire on the stage is finally given its outlet when one theatre takes the risk of putting a woman, Maria herself, on stage, in nothing less than the prized role of Desdemona. Enter a variety of characters from famed diarist Samuel Pepys (Hugh Bonneville) to Charles II (Rupert Everett) himself and his unstoppably coarse mistress, Nell Gwynn (Zoe Tapper) and Kynaston’s life and work are turned upside down as his star is quickly eclipsed by Maria’s…
As ever, it makes sense to look at the performances first. Billy Crudup has the Herculean task on his hands of being both actor and performer, and showing all sides of Ned’s character, on-stage and off. He manages admirably, drawing out both the hero and the petulant drama queen, both the woman and the man. His English accent is about 90% faultless (far better than average, in other words, and he resists overt stateliness, even in the performance of Shakespeare). His Ned goes from self-assured, smug prima donna through all the peaks and troughs of triumph and humiliation (including a rather brutal lesson learned about the consequences of a sharp tongue) to a complete character renaissance… it’s Ned’s lesson to learn that he need not choose to be either man or woman, but just himself, whoever that is.
Claire Danes puts in a typically emotional performance, but is remarkably likeable as the slightly hysterical Maria. Her honesty and humanity are allowed to shine through, and, like Crudup, she allows a vein of natural humour to shine through. This is quite unlike the rather forced comedy of Shakespeare in Love, and despite being just as predictable, the passion, drama and tragedy are far more natural. The chemistry between the leads is obvious, even if Crudup outshines an occasionally tiresome Danes. Much was made of the leads’ real-life romance at the time; perhaps the tension added to the performance. Despite odd irritating moments and a certain uncertainty of accent (not so much veering to American as veering between cockney and upper-class), there are genuinely funny moments (her first legitimate audition) and genuinely moving times.
Among the supporting cast there are few surprises. Bonneville is joined by Tom Wilkinson (as the beleaguered owner of the theatre) and both turn out a good line is stuttering Englishness. Nothing new, but if not fresh, then not quite a rotting cadaver of a performance just yet. Certainly they are not to blame for the tired lines, and they invest them with humour and warmth. Zoe Tapper provides a lively and bright performance (and you thank heaven it’s not Julia Sawalha), and Rupert Everett is business as usual (given that he’s played both Kings Charles, do you think he’d stretch to Prince Charles if we promised he didn’t have to wear the comedy ears? The voice is half way there). The only slight surprise is a smooth, aristocratic turn from Ben Chaplin. In other words, the support is solid as a rock, and allows some freedom of movement for the leads.
That is, it would if the script were a little brighter. Jeffrey Hatcher adapts his own play, and some of it, it must be said, is rather lacklustre. It’s certainly achingly predictable. But… and it’s a big one, as buts go… there’s still something to it. I can’t put my finger on what allowed me to be drawn into this film and enjoy it, but I strongly suspect it had something to do with the magnetism and charisma Crudup forced into the words. One scene in particular stands out; asked a slightly embarrassing question in bed, Kynaston grins awkwardly and breathes out: “riiiiight…”. His easy charm livens what could be outrageously dull dialogue.
The other key to the enjoyment factor is perhaps Richard Eyre’s simple direction. An esteemed stage director he draws the best from the stage-bound scenes but keeps to unobtrusive and visually compelling direction throughout. He moves quite seamlessly between gentle, misty landscape shots and speedy, almost documentary movement, switching then to unflinching close ups of a body undergoing the wracking spasms of agony. Finally, George Fenton’s score is unassumingly complementary, and much like most of the film, admirably solid (dare I say that the whole film typically British in its solidity? Or will I get lynched for that?).
So three stars it is, because I can’t say it was a stunning film, but I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it. Swept along on its gentle waves of predictable good nature, and duly impressed by Crudup’s range (if not by his frighteningly angular looks) and Eyre’s eye for the beautiful, I was entertained, amused, even moved. A nice, middle-of-the-road unchallenging but likeable bout of time-passing it was too. Oh, and as a mild warning, there’s a vein of Carry On lewdness running through the film, the odd bit of nudity and sexual reference does appear here and there. I’d be surprised if it raised any eyebrows, though.
Advantages: Great script, performances and attention to detail Disadvantages: Unnecessary nudity
...beautiful woman on the London stage is played by a man. Ned Kynaston is the most feted “actress” in the country, dazzling everyone as Desdemona in “Othello”. But when Charles II bans men from playing women, Ned is out of a job and has to watch as his lovelorn dresser Maria takes to the stage. How will he cope? And can his acting talents stretch to playing men as well as women?
Director Richard Eyre is best known as an award-winning theatre director, ... ...Jeffrey Hatcher (adapting his own stage play) interweave fact and fiction. Ned Kynaston was a Restoration-era star and Margaret (Maria) Hughes was the first woman on the stage. Hatcher’s script is well-written, witty, poignant and intelligent and will frequently be compared to the Oscar-nabbing “Shakespeare in Love” because it touches on the same themes of acting, identity and romance. However, this is a far cry from Gwynnie’s romantic comedy that ...
afy9mab 17.09.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Stage Beauty (DVD)
Advantages: Brilliant animation/Super story/innovative Disadvantages: um....very little
--------Introduction--------
The film is from Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke). This film won the Oscar for 'Best Animated Film' 2003 as well as the Golden Bear at Berlin in 2002. Spirited Away (originally in Japan is called Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi) follows the story of a young, modern 10 year old Chihiro in this fantasy adventure.
We will be reviewing the PAL DVD Region 2 edition which comes on 2 discs.
--------Storyline--------
The ... ...her parents going to their new house in the suburbs. She is upset over this and liked her old place and friends. Her dad gets lost taking a wrong turn and is stopped by a statute in front of a rather mysterious tunnel. The family walk through to find what they see as a lonely town/old theme park. Upon Chihiro's parents eating food and being rather greedy over this, they are turned into pigs when nightfall occurs. It turns out this place is a ghostly ...
MrTink12 03.09.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Stage Beauty (DVD)
Advantages: Elegant style and a worthwhile love story Disadvantages: I can't think of any, I'm just that biased.
...of the whole film. The stage performance between Billy Crudup and Claire Danes is just riveting, I stunning performance. Honestly, I can't stress enough how amazing this scene is. The soundtrack is ideal and keeps with the mood of the film, setting a jangly and contemporary theme. I found myself enjoying the music just as much as the storyline. Overall, this is a superb film, that has not received quite as much recognition as it deserves. Probably ...
absurd_luck 17.03.2006 (21.05.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Stage Beauty (DVD)
Advantages: Character design, story, journey into the land of the spirits Disadvantages: For ‘calm’ anime lovers
The first anime I ever watched was the now famous Akira and I was amazed. Now, this little beauty is miles away from Akira, but I love it even more. Miyazaki’s first breakthrough on our continent was Princess Mononoke and as I loved it, I couldn’t wait to see his next masterpiece.
Spirited away is the story of Chihiro, a little girl who is moving with her parents and is not too happy about it. On the way to their new house, Dad decides to find a ... ...abandoned theme park of some sort. Clever Chihiro already senses something is fishy but her father is more attracted by the lovely smell of the local delicatessen. As soon as her parents find the source of the mouth-watering smell, they start stuffing their faces, under the worried looks of Chihiro who decides to have a little look around. She discovers a mysterious train and bath house and meets Haku, a young boy who will prove very helpful. As ...
kaybe 05.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Stage Beauty (DVD)
Advantages: Excellant story and great for people of all ages Disadvantages: Too many people dismiss a great film due to animation
I am a pretty avid lover of anime and it's arre it turns up on our cinema screens, so i was pretty excited about this one, especially since it is by the director of princess mononoke, Hayao Miyazaki.
It tells the story of a 10 year old girl, Chirhiro, who finds herself at a health resort for spirits and gods after getting lost in a starnge forest whilst moving house. After her parents run into "some problems" her adventure starts as she tries to ... ...starts work at the bath house for the evil queen Yubaba after meeting a strange boy named Haku. The film follows her adventure in this strange world, showing perfectly the little girls' persistant nature as you see her struggle through difficult chores and makes new (slightly odd) friends.
If you do not know a great deal about japanese folk lore and culture, some of the film will confuse you a little as some of the characters are similar to those ...
Claire_Ciac 30.04.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Stage Beauty (DVD)
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In the seventeenth century the roles of women in live theatre are played by men and one of the most famous is Ned Kynaston. When Charles II tires of the same old faces he decides to allow real women on the stage. Overnight Ned becomes a nobody and heads towards suicide until an actress named Maria decides to rescue him.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
MOMENTUM PICTURES; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
Release date
27/12/2004
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
MP 333 D
Barcode
5060049145334
Languages
Main Language
English
DVD Description
In the seventeenth century the roles of women in live theatre are played by men and one of the most famous is Ned Kynaston. When Charles II tires of the same old faces he decides to allow real women on the stage. Overnight Ned becomes a nobody and heads towards suicide until an actress named Maria decides to rescue him.
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