Topsy Turvy - A Temporary Divorce

1999 - Historical Musical Drama - from writer director Mike Leigh starring James Broadbent and Allan Corduner as the amazing team of Gilbert and Sullivan. This scene is the culmination of the duo having reached a period of unsuccessful collaborations which threatens their continued partnership. A delightful adaptation of the artistic team and Victorian England which won Oscars for Costume Design (Lindy Hemming) and Makeup (Christine Blundell,Trefor Proud). Nominated for Screenplay (Mike Leigh), Art Direction-Set Decoration (Eve Stewart - John Bush. The cast is superb and Broadbent and Couruner become the eccentric duo. The story focuses on the need for Gilbert to find a new play to which Sullivan may be inspired to continue to compose, and eventually leads to the Mikado. Plenty of excerpts from the actual Mikado which is credited with saving the partnership. Critically claimed, the lengthy movie (2 hours plus), and period piece was a financial bust. A side note, director Leigh cast actors who did their own singing in the film, which was highly criticized by some.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Topsy
• Turvy
• Mike
• Leigh
• James
• Broadbent
• Allan
• Corduner
• Gilbert
• and
• Sullivan
• British
• Cinema
• historical
• musical
• drama
• opera

[oakjackson]

Agree, that was a great catch anachronism. Interesting dilemma for the film makers even if they knew that. How many of today's audience would know what Christiania was?

[goback3spaces]

@oakjackson Not many, but there was no dilemma at all. They would have given the place name in period if they'd known it. They wouldn't have hesitated.

[scorpiowatertiger]

wemartin12 is correct. In fact, I think Mr Ibsen resided in Italy during the 1880s. A small anachronistic glitch in an otherwise impeccable film.

[wemartin12]

Anachronism-- Oslo was known as Christiania until the 20th century.