TotalTelly.co.uk

Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV

Bright Young Things [2003]


RRP: £13.99
Our Price: £1.99 (subject to change)

Art Deco Cliche - Dull Young Things
Review date: 2008-05-26 Rating: 2 out of 10

Am I the only person that found this film to be a complete disappointment? I read and enjoyed the book and thought the film sounded interesting; am sorry to have found it "fun" in a meaningless kind of way but utterly lacking in substance and plot. This film tried too hard and was frankly hard work watching since there was no emotion to balance out the purile cliches and hollow characters. This left a sour taste, particularly the final and pointless reference to World War 2 which again failed to achieve its goal in putting the frivolous Bright Young Thing's lifestyle in juxtoposition to the horros and tragedy of war. The only tragedy is that Stephen Fry was involved in such a terrible production. Far more enjoyable is Brideshead Revisited if one is into such things.

Similar Products

Reviews


Brilliant!
Review date: 2007-08-08 Rating: 10 out of 10

Like a cross between "Cabaret" and "Moulin Rouge" this film just blew me away. I'm embarassed to say that I just saw it, and see now that it was made in 2003. It makes me wonder how many other great films I've been missing. The settings and acting are first rate and I honestly can't find a flaw in this movie. The story is set in 1930s London, before the war, and we get a look at the divine decadance that was glimpsed in "Cabaret," only the plot is more thrown about and there are some fetching scenes involving Number 10 Downing Street--the funniest part of the movie--well, not for anyone living at 10 Downing Street. At any rate, the plot centers on getting the money, losing the money--required to marry a certain girl. the twists and turns this movie takes on are just mind boggling and the editing is quirky and keeps you on your toes. Honestly, I was so disappointed by "Moulin Rouge" and this is what it should have been more like. It's like a Merchant Ivory film on drugs--this is a compliment. At any rate, the story is not only entertaining, but touching and well crafted. I just can't recommend this movie enough.

Nicely done satire, and well acted
Review date: 2007-08-03 Rating: 8 out of 10

This is a stylish, satirical and thoughtful movie about people not worth thinking too much about. We're in London in the Thirties. The wealthy, bored young spawn of the upper crust flit from party to party, keeping the dawn at bay and amusing each other with their brittleness and wit. We're in the middle of high society, "that uneasy alliance of bright young things and old survivors."

Adam Fenwick-Symes (Stephen Campbell Moore) wants to be a writer, hasn't a penny, but whose friends are all among the "things." He loves Nina Blount (Emily Mortimer), a young woman who would rather be bored and rich than bored and poor. (She finally marries a very boring, aristocratic young man, Ginger Littlejohn, who is rich. "Oh, darling," she says to Adam, "if only you were as rich as Ginger...or even half as rich.")

Throughout the movie Adam finds himself in situations where he comes close to money and loses it, whether it's gambling in a hotel which has wonderfully loose morals to working as Mr. Chatterbox, a gossip columnist for a press lord. His friends are fun and stylish, but also shallow, condescending and oblivious to any feelings except their own. "You bloody people," one person finally says to them, "Who the bloody hell do you think you are?" As the Thirties pass into the 1939 invasion of Poland and Britain's declaration war, the parties stop. Bad things happen and real life takes over. But eventually Adam and Nina find their way together, without money.

I liked this movie a lot. It has great style and dialogue, and things keep moving. It was based on Evelyn Waugh's Vile Bodies. The characters are superficial but after a while you get to know them. There are first-rate actors portraying these bright young things, including Michael Sheen as Miles, a wealthy young queen, and Fenella Woolgar as Agatha Runciple, a young woman without a reflective thought in her head. There are also wonderful performances by some well-known names in smaller parts: Jim Broadbent as an alcoholic colonel who shows up several times, Jim Carter as a filth-hating customs supervisor, Peter O'Toole as somewhat balmy aristocrat who isn't as eccentric as he appears, Simon Callow as the deposed king of Anatolia, and John Mills in a brief but funny bit as an old aristocrat at a party who mistakes a sniff of cocaine for a sniff of snuff.

The DVD picture and audio are first-rate.

Suprisingly Watchable
Review date: 2006-04-17 Rating: 8 out of 10

Initially we rented this film as it was directed by Stephen Fry, whom both my partner and I enjoy, and having kept it for several days waiting for the mood to be right, watched it to be pleasantly suprised by it's relatvely light 'watch-ability'.

The plot is very easy to follow, though has one or two dead-ends. The casting is faultless and general atmosphere very much of it's time.

If you want a light Sunday afternoon film, this isn't it, but if you want a film to make you think, laugh and relax any other time this may well be for you. Not too heavy going, but not a "Carry On.." either. Try it... you might like it!

Very good visually
Review date: 2006-02-16 Rating: 6 out of 10

Stephen Fry, the director of this film, has many talents, not least as a comedian and wit and in my view he has made a thoroughly good job of this film. It has a sparkle and pace to it and some wonderful performances from a young and enthusiastic group of actors. (Particularly good is Fenella Woolgar as Agatha Runcible but everyone is at least good in his/her role.) All that having been said I think Stephen could have chosen a better novel to adapt for his first film as director. "Vile Bodies", the novel on which it based, is a fizzy but rather empty read and even if you adapt it very well, as he has, the best you can probably hope for is a fizzy, empty film and that's more or less what you get. No fault can be attached to the direction, acting or the set design. (The sets, by the way, are sumptuous, exquisitely designed and wholly convincing). In conclusion 5 stars for effort and visual appeal but possibly three for the overall film.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Emily Mortimer
Simon McBurney
Dan Aykroyd
Stephen Campbell Moore
Michael Sheen

Creators:
Stephen Campbell Moore (Primary Contributor)
Emily Mortimer (Primary Contributor)
Stephen Fry (Writer)
Andrew Eaton (Producer)
Caroline Hewitt (Producer)
Chris Auty (Producer)
Gina Carter (Producer)
Jim Reeve (Producer)
Evelyn Waugh (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900961585
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2004-04-19
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2003
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: English (Original Language)

Add to Cart

© 2006 Darren Hester, DesignsByDarren.com, Some Rights Reserved.
Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional