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Stage Beauty

Play trailer Poster for Stage Beauty R 2004 1h 50m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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64% Tomatometer 126 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Humble Maria (Claire Danes), who outfits top London theater star Ned Kynaston (Billy Crudup), takes none of the credit for the male actor's success at playing women. And because this is the 17th century, Maria, like other females, is prohibited from pursuing her dream of acting. But when powerful people support her, King Charles II (Rupert Everett) lifts the ban on female stage performers. And just as Maria aided Ned, she needs his help to learn her new profession.
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Stage Beauty

Stage Beauty

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Critics Consensus

Uneven but enjoyable, Stage Beauty uses historical events as the springboard for a well-acted romance with a charming Shakespearean spin.

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Critics Reviews

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Sheila Johnston London Evening Standard Stage Beauty... has a lot going for it. Richard Eyre's spritely direction helps hide the holes in the plot, creating a vivid, raucous, underworld London of transvestites, whores and pickpockets, some played by a terrific supporting cast. Jan 10, 2018 Full Review David Ansen Newsweek It's a marvelous premise, and Crudup's serpentine performance has a venomous grace. But Jeffrey Hatcher's screenplay too often sacrifices psychological insight for bogus theatricality. Nov 1, 2007 Full Review Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness Danes, as usual, overplays her character's every emotion. Rated: C+ May 4, 2005 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com ...an unusually literate drama which has a cool take on the war between the sexes...' Rated: 4/5 Aug 6, 2021 Full Review Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight "Stage Beauty" has the grace and charm of a great play. It has its acts, its drama and its comedy. Rated: 4/4 Apr 17, 2005 Full Review Lawrence Toppman Charlotte Observer A vapid confection. Rated: 2/4 Mar 11, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D Fun and well acted. Strong cast. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member An awe-inspiring performance from Billy Crudup..This movie shows the sheer talent of this actor playing a man (Kynston) who is adored by the public for playing women's parts. Billy shines most when his character is desperately injured and abandoned by his former friends. His Othello is raging and breath-stopping as he kills his wife. Claire Danes puts in a magnificent performance as a mousey dresser turned actress, and her Desdemona is deservedly a show-stopper. But, side by side with Billy, his light outshines hers, and his mastery of the smallest details throughout this piece make his character richer and more complex than hers. Still, If I could give this movie six stars, I would. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Frances H Not a flawless film, but with good acting and an engrossing story, it keeps you wanting to watch. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/14/17 Full Review Audience Member Somewhat predictable, even with the film's unique subject matter. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Near perfection. The chemistry between Danes and Crudup is out of this world. I could feel the odds each character was up against and the struggle they both had / felt. Outstanding movie!! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Fascinated with Shakespeare, his Elizabethan contemporaries and Jacobean successors, this film was an easy Netflix pick for me. And, despite having hundreds of other films in my queue, I've brought Stage Beauty back for three encores (so far). I can't think of anything in this film that change would improve. Casting, acting and music are in the front rank of film performances. Heck, even the costumes are exceptional. Does the story seem a little farfetched? Not to me and the more I've read about the history of cross-gender roles in the performing arts an the English Restoration period. I highly recommend this film. Further, I suggest forgoing your usual TV fare and starting this film early enough in the evening to allow you to see it twice. You'll thank me later. DOUG out Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Richard Eyre

Director

Billy Crudup

Ned Kynaston

Claire Danes

Maria

Rupert Everett

King Charles II

Tom Wilkinson

Betterton

Ben Chaplin

George Villiars, Duke of Buckingham

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Stage Beauty

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Movie Info

Synopsis Humble Maria (Claire Danes), who outfits top London theater star Ned Kynaston (Billy Crudup), takes none of the credit for the male actor's success at playing women. And because this is the 17th century, Maria, like other females, is prohibited from pursuing her dream of acting. But when powerful people support her, King Charles II (Rupert Everett) lifts the ban on female stage performers. And just as Maria aided Ned, she needs his help to learn her new profession.
Director
Richard Eyre
Producer
Robert De Niro, Richard Eyre
Screenwriter
Jeffrey Hatcher
Distributor
Lionsgate/Artisan
Production Co
Returning Productions
Rating
R (Sexual Content|Language)
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 8, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 14, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$776.7K
Runtime
1h 50m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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