Taylor L
"I'm going out to seek a bit of Italian hokey-pokey, and I care not who knows it."
Heavy with period production value, Topsy-Turvy is an exploration of the collaboration between Gilbert and Sullivan in their later years, with a creative relationship that has seen success and tension in equal measure. Leigh gives these most celebrated musical theatre virtuosos the full period drama treatment, granting ample time to their relationship, individual personalities, and the world around them with subplots revolving around other figures of the British stage and the world of Victorian sensibilities, all in elaborate costume and sets covered in heavy drapery and lace doilies. Though Broadbent's Gilbert and Corduner's Sullivan are meant to be equal partners in reality (and both have their own idiosyncrasies), it's Broadbent that drops the hammer hardest with the full depiction of an accomplished, eloquent, and bristly perfectionist. Together, there's a lot to like not only in the story, but in the personality clashes and the understanding of the artistic process.
The strength - and weakness - of Leigh's depiction of the backstage duo is the length. With it, the writer-director touches on not only his main characters but a raft of secondary roles fulfilled by a solid supporting cast that includes both Timothy Spall and Andy Serkis along with Kevin McKidd as a great girdle-wearing diva. Beyond that, there's also substantial atmospheric flourishes designed to give flesh to the surrounding world that took pleasure in the artistic output of Gilbert and Sullivan. But unless you're willing to immerse yourself fully in that world, it's understandable that some find the length to be too substantial; it's not just the final product, but each individual scene is much more drawn-out than you might expect.
The film focuses on the duo's last major success, The Mikado, a play that had begun to attract criticism around the time of the film's release for its less-than-authentic take on Japanese culture. However, that's hardly something you can fault Leigh for, and he accurately catches that bit of stiff-upper-lip condescension, combined with a play that was always a British social satire with a thin Japanese veneer to dispel criticism. Some of the stage performances are definitely closer to Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany's than anything else, but here it seems to be more making fun of the British sense of self-superiority than the culture that Gilbert and Sullivan were originally making light of.
One of the most ambitious cinematic depictions of musical theatre ever attempted, and certainly worth the time of any fan of musicals. (3.5/5)
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
12/04/22
Full Review
isla s
This is a costume drama film depicting a curious true story. It features plenty of witty dialogue and some comedy - gentle comedy, I'd say. It also features plenty of pomp and fanfare. One quote I liked was 'the more I see of men, the more I like dogs!'.
There's an element of operatic diva-ishness present, about both Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Sullivan.
The fact Japense people were accused of not being (or not appearing in posture) Japanese was clearly laughable! It's (thankfully) tactfully pointed out that they are in fact Japanese people, to which Gilbert replies "well, yes, of course, that's why their here!"(!).
There's a certain quaintness about this film I enjoyed. It shows up English stereotypes and the upper classes of its time, I suppose. Timothy Spall is quite funny in his role, as Richard Temple and also present is Jim Broadbent and Simon Callow, among others (Lesley Manville etc.).
The musical numbers and costumes are fun and I liked that there's more information provided by text just before the credits.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend this film, yes.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
It's hard to imagine the real Gilbert and Sullivan being as witty as the two in this film. But then, the operettas speak for themselves.
If a viewer was not a G & S fan before, seeing the numbers in this film has a good chance of making him/her one.
Mike Leigh directs with perfect tone, the script is full of unexpected turns, the choreography and singing are world class, and the actors portray the real characters to a T.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/13/23
Full Review
Audience Member
this film, filled with great and often-under-appreciated actors (e.g timothy spall), is a depiction of how the original play of The Mikado could have been; told in a historic-drama style it tells the tale of how the 2 playwrights of the Savoy (the namesakes, Gilbert and Sullivan) have grown apart, until, they are inspired to write The Mikado. Great acting, sensitive and poignant moments to humanise all of the characters, some great comic delivery (Kevin McKidd, yep, "the only pleasure [my wife] gets is seeing me on stage").
I have watched this film numerous times and will do so again.
I am biased, as I was brought up with Gilbert & Sullivan played every Sunday morning on the record player, and opera was a big part of my background music, although you do not _need_ knowledge of the opera I think you would miss a lot, hopefully this will spark your interest to watch the entire opera - maybe at the savoy ;-)
The "I've got him on my list" song by the executioner does get updated every few years so if you want the original (non-political) version you may be better off watching a more traditional version so make sure you choose the one that suits you best.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/12/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas are a very particular, very English taste. I have always found them embarrassingly second-rate, and overflowing with horrible class consciousness.
I love Mike Leigh, but, as many have mentioned, this film is over-long, and from the entry of the Japanese to the film, made me want to go and hide behind the sofa. I would hope that 'The Mikado' would never again be performed, so insulting is it to the Japanese through total ignorance of Japanese society. Maybe Mike Leigh's intention was to show how superficial the 'Savoy Operettas' are, not to mention how barren is Sullivan's music. If so, he succeeded. But, though the film was beautifully made and acted, I couldn't watch the final third. 'Mr Turner' is a far less cringe-making movie.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/20/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Basically the movie is the telling of the period when Gilbert and Sullivan have produced their operetta "Princess Ida", which proved to be a disappointment, to everyone's displeasure, especially D'oyly Carte who is forced to revive an earlier operetta of theirs to keep customers coming. Gilbert and Sullivan's partnership was never really friendly to begin with, as the movie shows, but they still have a legal obligation to produce another operetta-can they come up with something better this time? Of course they do-their most popular operetta "The Mikado" comes out.
There is no real tension in this movie, just a depiction of the characters and late Victorian Britain and its theater. Neither Gilbert nor his father get along with his mother, who has a scene in which she concludes, "Never give birth to a comedian." We see British reaction to the opening up of then-exotic Japan to the world, which gave Gilbert the idea for the operetta, and all the rigmarole involved getting the operetta written and scored and put into production. Only really recommended if you are already familiar with Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/22/23
Full Review
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