Topsy-Turvy (1999)

R12/15/1999Comedy, Drama, Music, History2h 40m
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Gilbert & Sullivan & So Much More

Overview

After their production "Princess Ida" meets with less-than-stunning reviews, the relationship between Gilbert and Sullivan is strained to breaking. Their friends and associates attempt to get the two to work together again, which opens the way to "The Mikado," one of the duo's greatest successes.

Top Billed Cast

  1. Cast 1

    Jim Broadbent

    W. S. Gilbert

  2. Cast 1

    Allan Corduner

    Sir Arthur Sullivan

  3. Cast 1

    Timothy Spall

    Richard Temple (The Mikado)

  4. Cast 1

    Lesley Manville

    Lucy Gilbert

  5. Cast 1

    Ron Cook

    Richard D'Oyly Carte

  6. Cast 1

    Wendy Nottingham

    Helen Lenoir

  7. Cast 1

    Kevin McKidd

    Durward Lely (Nanki-Poo)

  8. Cast 1

    Shirley Henderson

    Leonora Braham (Yum-Yum)

  9. Cast 1

    Dorothy Atkinson

    Jessie Bond

I particularly like most of Mike Leigh’s movies, so it is surprising that I took so long to get around to watching Topsy Turvy. A few of his films are on my list of favorite films out there, but sadly this effort did not threaten to crack that list. Not that I didn’t enjoy it overall. It was entertaining and fun, though it hovered on minor scenes sometimes on its way to lasting two hours and forty minutes. And it was interesting to see how the Gilbert and Sullivan characters worked together, assuming it is somewhat accurate portrayal of the actual historical duo. Finally, it features four of m...