Friday, January 30, 2009

"Just because I wouldn't let him, you know, at Oxford"


Good God, I love Bright Young Things, actor Stephen Fry's directorial debut from 2003. I just watched it again last night and, although it's not a perfect film, I still marvel at its sprawling cast of film legends and (then) up-and-comers and the fact that they all work together so seemlessly. Just look at this cast list:
  • Peter O'Toole
  • Stockard Channing
  • Julia McKenzie
  • Imelda Staunton
  • Richard E. Grant (he played the Spice Girls' manager Clifford in Spice World)
  • Dan Aykroyd (not that exciting, I know, but he's actually not too shabby here)
  • Jim Broadbent
  • Michael Sheen (before his big breakthrough in The Queen, he played the super-effeminate Miles- talk about change of pace)
  • Emily Mortimer (before Dear Frankie and Match Point made her well-known in the States)
  • David Tennant (apparently he's the most recent Dr. Who, a cult sci-fi show that's been on in the UK for years)
  • James McAvoy (a couple of years before his breakthrough in The Last King of Scotland and Atonement made him an international sex symbol)
  • Stephen Campbell Moore (I love him so much; although he was in The History Boys (the stage version and the film)- which I haven't seen yet, for some odd reason- he hasn't had a big break yet à la Sheen and McAvoy...such a shame)
Ah, I love it so much. The film is so full of life I believe it's near impossible not to get caught up in its energy. Go out and rent Bright Young Things now because, believe me, if nothing else, you'll have a fun time.

9 comments:

mB said...

You haven't seen The History Boys? :: Drool! ::

Also, did you just talk about Dr Who as if you had never known it existed before?

Anonymous said...

I also thought it was crazy strange that you needed to explain Dr. Who, which I've always thought of as universally iconic.

Nevertheless, I liked Bright You Things too.

Dame James said...

I have heard of Dr. Who before, though I've never seen an episode. I just never put it together until last night that David Tennant was in Bright Young Things. Sorry for the confusion!

J.D. said...

Damn it, James. I didn't know Jimmy was in it, and looked that cute (did I just say that?). Now I HAVE to see BYT.

You evil genius.

Vance said...

How have I not seen this movie? Okay, I'll see this and you go see The History Boys!

Dave said...

YES. This film is terrific. (At least until it gets all serious.)

Anonymous said...

"YES. This film is terrific. (At least until it gets all serious.)"

Yes, there is this sense of "You've had your fun, now you must be punished." Of course, it's based on an Evelyn Waugh novel, so what do you expect?

Kayleigh said...

STEPHEN FRY! STEPHEN FRY! He is my hero! I adore him. Okay, rambling over...
Have you seen him in Wilde? He is amazing as Oscar Wilde, the film is so beautiful and there is lots of boy kissing with Michael Sheen, Ioan Gruffud and Jude Law! Perfect!

Dame James said...

Yes, I have seen Wilde and I thought Fry was quite excellent in it. I don't remember too many details about the movie (like, for instance, that Michael Sheen was in it) but I remember liking him. Oh, and Jude Law was pretty smokin', too.