Topsy-Turvy (1999)

See All Available Formats

Synopsis of Topsy-Turvy

Noted for intimate character studies created in collaboration with his actors, director Mike Leigh makes a dramatic change of pace with this biography of comic opera composers W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Gilbert (Jim Broadbent) is an easily angered but otherwise emotionally remote lyricist who works in collaboration with composer Sullivan (Alan Corduner), a genial and fun-loving sort who feels unsatisfied writing light operettas and longs to work with more serious material. While Sullivan is having a creative crisis, Gilbert is facing a failing marriage to Lucy (Lesley Manville), who loves her husband even if he can't return her affections, and must deal with his ailing father (Charles Simon). When they suffer their first failure, both men are depressed, and Sullivan announces that he's giving up operetta for good. However, a visit to an exhibit of Japanese art sparks an idea in Gilbert, and soon he and Sullivan are hard at work on what will become one of their greatest successes, The Mikado. Much of the film is devoted to the staging of this classic, with Shirley Henderson, Dorothy Atkinson, Martin Savage, Timothy Spall, and Kevin McKidd as members of the operetta's cast. Jim Broadbent won Best Actor at the 1999 Venice Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Theatrical Feature Running Time:

161 mins

Complete Cast of Topsy-Turvy

Director(s):

Mike Leigh

Writer(s):

Mike Leigh

Producer(s):

Simon Channing-Williams

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

R(Brief Nudity, Adult Situations, Adult Language, Questionable for Children)

Categories:

Independent Films

• 1999 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Makeup and Hair
• 1999 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Picture
• 1999 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Director
• 1999 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Actor - Runner-up
• 1999 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Director
• 1999 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Picture
• 1999 - Venice International Film Festival - Volpi Cup for Best Actor

Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

Looking for special editions of Topsy-Turvy?

See All Versions

Subtitles:

Check All Versions

Closed Captioning:

Check All Versions