Topsy-Turvy

Starring Jim Broadbent, Allan Corduner and Timothy Spall
Written and Directed by Mike Leigh
website: http://www.topsy-turvymovie.com/

IN SHORT: For those predisposed to Gilbert and Sullivan [Rated [R], 161 minutes]

The CrankyCritic.com site has always taken the position that you shouldn't have to know an exceptional amount of background material before you enter a movie theater. Walking in to see writer/director Mike Leigh's Topsy-turvy requires no exceptional knowledge. Problem is, Leigh's attention to detail (it's all explained in the production notes on the website) gets in the way of telling an interesting story. Cranky sat through the whole thing. Many of the folks around me didn't.

Topsy-turvy takes as its setting a time period when the partnership of William Schwenk Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan was at the two decade mark, and showing visible signs of wear and tear. The critics of the day are dissing Gilbert's libretto (the words to the operatic scores by Sullivan) as being repetitive of his older work and Sullivan wants to write "serious" and "important" work, solo.

Trying to recreate the era by allowing all the characters -- even the most minor members of the supporting ensemble that staged all of Gilbert and Sullivan works -- their own moments in the films spotlight only serves to diminish the overall story.

On average, a first run movie ticket will run you Eight Bucks. Were Cranky able to set his own price to Topsy-turvy, he would have paid...

$3.00

Rent.

The Cranky Critic® is a Registered Trademark of, and his website is Copyright © 1995 - 2012 by Chuck Schwartz. Articles by Paul Fischer are Copyright © 1999 - 2006 Paul Fischer. All images, unless otherwise noted, are property of,©, ®, ™ their respective studios and are used by permission. All Rights Reserved. Not to be used or copied for any commercial purpose. Academy Award™(s) and Oscar®(s) are registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.