Bright Young Things

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Bright Young Things

R

Released May 16, 2003

1h 45m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

66%

Tomatometer

111 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

During the 1930s in England, a group of young socialites dominate the national gossip with extravagant and outlandish antics. Among the group is the aspiring novelist Adam Fenwick-Symes (Stephen Campbell Moore), who is attempting to raise enough money to marry fellow member Nina Blount (Emily Mortimer). However, after customs officials confiscate his first manuscript, Fenwick-Symes must recover from the financial setback and figure out new ways to earn money for a wedding.

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Critics Consensus

Colored with witty performances and a camp sense of satire, Stephen Fry's version of Evelyn Waugh's novel may only be fitfully successful but it does mark a promising debut for the British comic.

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Neil Norman

London Evening Standard

Fry's dialogue is terrific and interlaces with Waugh's own wit seamlessly.

Jan 15, 2018

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Sukhdev Sandhu

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Satire should seek to sterilise or maim its targets; Fry wants us to feel for them.

Jul 29, 2015

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Jane Howdle

Empire Magazine

Though it falls short of Fry's best work in other fields, this is a sound first feature.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 30, 2006

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Doug Brantley

Out Magazine

A definite must-see, dahlings.

May 27, 2022

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Mark Steyn

The Spectator

What's good about the movie is the lesser known up-and-corners who play the bright young things themselves, especially the appellatorily appropriate Fenella Woolgar as Agatha

Feb 3, 2018

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Sunday Times (Australia)

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 18, 2008

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Sarah Jane K

Every now and then I watch a film that I enjoy so much I feel the need to immediately watch it again. This was one of those. Engaging, fast paced, thoughtful, witty. Absolute Must-See!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/05/25

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Glafira Regina O

Probably the best film I watched in October. It is bright and exciting, the acting is at its height. The film shows the life of boheme English youth aristocracy in the interwar period, and perfectly reflects the atmosphere of those years.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/05/24

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E. S

Ever since I first watched this it has been my favourite film. I wish I had seen it sooner because it was worth the time I spent watching

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/24

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isla s

This is worth seeing for the decent cast alone - David Tennant in period drama get up, makeup and everything, is worth seeing alone I suppose (also Michael Sheen is in it as well - the same applies. Other cast members include James MacAvoy, Emily Mortimer and Jim Carter). Its not exactly an especially tense and suspenseful film but there are some fairly amusing moments and its a pretty easy watch, so its good from that point of view. I can't say I felt especially sorry for the characters who were, of course, high society types (have's, rather than have not's) but I can't say it wasn't entertaining. Some of the dialogue is amusing and I liked that Dan Akroyd is in it, as well as various Brits. This is a fairly good film which is worth a watch if you just want a bit of an easy watch, if you like recognising actors in period 'get up' and the like. The jazz music (of its time) is jolly and perhaps uplifting in a way as well too. I suppose I would recommend this overall, yes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Nothing new but decent.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

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Audience Member

An extravagant flashy 1930's tale about four exceptionally talented yet naive & cocky young adults about their exploits. This film isn't specifically great but keeps you interested for its 100 or so minutes. You keep guessing what the characters will do next. This film was directed by Stephen Fry who clearly can pull an exceptional British Cast, great soundtrack fluffy story it's not too bad.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Stephen Fry

Director

Emily Mortimer

Nina Blount

Stephen Campbell Moore

Adam Symes

James McAvoy

Simon Balcairn

Michael Sheen

Miles

David Tennant

Ginger Littlejohn

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24%

68%

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Synopsis

During the 1930s in England, a group of young socialites dominate the national gossip with extravagant and outlandish antics. Among the group is the aspiring novelist Adam Fenwick-Symes (Stephen Campbell Moore), who is attempting to raise enough money to marry fellow member Nina Blount (Emily Mortimer). However, after customs officials confiscate his first manuscript, Fenwick-Symes must recover from the financial setback and figure out new ways to earn money for a wedding.

Director: Stephen Fry
Producer: Gina Carter, Miranda Davis
Screenwriter: Stephen Fry
Distributor: ThinkFilm
Production Co: Revolution Films, Doubting Hall Limited
Rating: R (Some Drug Use)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 16, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 4, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $931.8K
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Surround

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