| STAGE BEAUTY |
 2004 - UK / Germany / USADirector: Richard Eyre - Reviewed by Vickie
Claire Danes and Billy Crudup co-star in the lavish period film that’s mildly reminiscent of that other gender-bending movie about actors called Shakespeare in Love. Crudup is Ned Kynaston, the most renowned and revered stage talent in England, whose claim to fame is his uncanny ability to play women (since female actors were forbidden by law). Kynaston, in his poofy wigs, elaborate outfits and fey mannerisms makes for the ideal woman, and his seamless transition into the fairer sex sometimes spills over into his real life. But his spot atop the acting echelon is threatened when word gets out that (gasp!) a woman—specifically, Kynaston’s dresser, Maria (Danes)—is acting in a clandestine theater... and winning over audiences. Thrust into the limelight, Maria has to prove herself and her talents to the laid-back King Charles II (Rupert Everett) in order to be legally allowed to perform. But Chuck does her one better and drafts a law allowing any woman to act onstage if she so chooses. Suddenly, Kynaston’s monopoly starts to crumble. How can he be expected to compete with actual women? And what will this do to theater as the characters know it? Directed by Richard Eyre, Stage Beauty moves at an appropriately jaunty clip, never too quickly but also never too slowly, so as to keep the moviegoing audience as entertained as the fictional audiences in the film. The dialogue is sharp and crisp, with more than a few one-liner gems sprinkled throughout. Both Danes and Crudup are more than capable in their roles, and Everett is especially funny as a king whose sole purpose in life seems to be squeezing as much frivolity out of it as possible. As I said, one of the best things about Beauty is its final act... one which will likely have you at the edge of your seat. It’s unusual for a comedy to have that level of suspense, but it totally works here and makes for a terrific conclusion to a very entertaining film. |
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Life as an actor on the British stage in the 17th century forms the
basis for this spirited, battle of the sexes comedy that trots along
merrily enough until its wonderfully satisfying final 20 minutes.
