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A Chorus of Disapproval

Play trailer Poster for A Chorus of Disapproval PG Released Aug 18, 1989 1h 40m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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Recent widower Guy Jones (Jeremy Irons) is transferred to a sleepy small town in Britain, where he decides to audition for an amateur production of "The Beggar's Opera." The director, Dafydd Ap Llewellyn (Anthony Hopkins), is such a tyrant that most of the actors quit, bringing Guy's role to more prominence. His local fame facilitates his seduction of numerous townswomen, including co-star Fay (Jenny Seagrove) and Llewellyn's wife, Hannah (Prunella Scales).

Critics Reviews

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Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Winner’s gift for comedy in the 1960’s was substantial, but his touch eluded him after the Death Wish sequels, and although this is probably the best film of his last two decades that’s largely because of Ayckbourn’s wordplay and the cast assembled here Rated: 3/5 Jan 23, 2024 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Jul 25, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Only Michael Winner could take an ensemble of expert farceurs and throw them under the proverbial bus. This ugly, dated, miscast mess is an embarrassment when it isn't a bore. Anthony Hopkins reprises his Captain Bligh, Jeremy Irons - struggling with an ill-fitting Northern accent - is charmless and glib, Prunella Scales gives the impression she's in Chekhov (she's not), and it's baffling to see veterans like Lionel Jeffries and - particularly - Richard Briers, completely wasted in tiny supporting roles. The best performance is Gareth Hunt's. That tells you everything. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member With a plethora of British talent, Anthony Hopkins stands out as the annoying extrovert even though Jeremy Irons is the lead. As a comedy it needs better humour, although there are a few good moments in this respect. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Hopkins is absolutely dynamic; otherwise, there isn't much Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member Eh, not exactly for everyone. However, if you like behind-the-scenes hijinxs and enjoy theatre-related movies, then you may enjoy this one. Hopkins is so over-the-top with his theatricality! Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member Excellent performances from Irons and Hopkins as always. Prunella Scales is wonderful in this too. I don't think the play works as well on screen as it does in the theatre but it's still very entertaining and rather accurate from my experience of Am Dram societies. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the more strange films seen in a long time. Stars innocent Jeremy Irons and bossy Anthony Hopkins (like you have never seen him act before no doubt). Irons has lost his wife and seeking to meet people, joins a small town theatre group. The story follows a young widower, Guy Jones (Irons), as he joins an amateur operatic society that is putting on The Beggar's Opera. He rapidly progresses through the ranks to become the male lead, while simultaneously conducting liaisons with several of the female cast. This quirky, often weird film has basically a human interest story to tell. All the characters of this theatrical group have been trying to learn a play that struggles on and on. But the real story is the people in the group. Hopkins wife starts an affair with our newcomer Irons. And so on and so on he goes with others in the theatrical tribe. Fans of Jeremy Irons and of course, Anthony Hopkins, will find this quirky, strange movie uh.... interesting. Not a conventional film at all, but that doesn't make it necessarily good. CAST Jeremy Irons - Guy Jones Anthony Hopkins - Dafydd Ap Llewellyn Prunella Scales - Hannah Ap Llewellyn Jenny Seagrove - Fay Hubbard Sylvia Syms - Rebecca Huntley-Pike Gareth Hunt - Ian Hubbard Patsy Kensit - Linda Washbrook Lionel Jeffries - Jarvis Huntley-Pike Alexandra Pigg - Bridget Baines Richard Briers - Ted Washbrook Barbara Ferris - Enid Washbrook Pete Lee-Wilson - Crispin Usher Dave King - Mr. Ames Amanda Mainard - Woman in Theater Dinah May - Girl at Work Anne Priestley - Hilda Shaw Audrey Trotter - Mrs. Bawden Directed by Michael Winner Written by Alan Ayckbourn Michael Winner Music by John Du Prez Cinematography Alan Jones Editing by Chris Barnes Michael Winner Distributed by Curzon Films Release date(s) 1988 Running time 105 minutes Country United Kingdom Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Read all reviews
A Chorus of Disapproval

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Movie Info

Synopsis Recent widower Guy Jones (Jeremy Irons) is transferred to a sleepy small town in Britain, where he decides to audition for an amateur production of "The Beggar's Opera." The director, Dafydd Ap Llewellyn (Anthony Hopkins), is such a tyrant that most of the actors quit, bringing Guy's role to more prominence. His local fame facilitates his seduction of numerous townswomen, including co-star Fay (Jenny Seagrove) and Llewellyn's wife, Hannah (Prunella Scales).
Director
Michael Winner
Producer
Michael Winner
Screenwriter
Alan Ayckbourn, Michael Winner
Distributor
Screen Media Ventures
Production Co
Palisades Entertainment Group, Curzon Films
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 18, 1989, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 7, 2017
Runtime
1h 40m