David Westhead Movies

The true story of two performers whose careers were changed forever by a shift in gender roles on the British stage comes to the screen in this adaptation of the play Compleat Female Stage Beauty by Jeffrey Hatcher. In London, in the latter half of the 17th century, Ned Kynaston (Billy Crudup) is a noted star of the legitimate theater with an unusual specialty -- at a time when it was considered unseemly for women to work as thespians, Kynaston specialized in female roles, and was described by one writer as the most beautiful woman on the London stage. With the help of his faithful dresser, Maria Hughes (Claire Danes), Kynaston can turn himself into a striking actress in front of the footlights, and is starring opposite Thomas Betterton (Tom Wilkinson) in a production of Shakespeare's Othello when, while still in costume after a performance, he is propositioned by theatrical impresario Sir Charles Sedley (Richard Griffiths). The sexually open-minded Sedley isn't discouraged to learn Kynaston is a man, but he is bitterly angered by the actor's flip rejection of his advances. Sedley takes revenge against Kynaston by hiring a gang of criminals to beat him up. With Betterton's production of Othello closed while the leading "lady" recuperates, Hughes sees an opportunity and stages an underground version of the play, casting herself as Desdemona. While she lacks Kynaston's dramatic skills, the daring of her appearance on-stage creates a sensation, and King Charles II (Rupert Everett), a noted theater buff, is so taken with Hughes that he declares women should play women from now on. But as Hughes' star rises, Kynaston's quickly falls, and he becomes a bitter, forgotten man. When the novelty of Hughes' gender wears off and her failings as an thespian become obvious, she turns to her former friend Kynaston, hoping he can teach her to be as good an actress as he was. Stage Beauty's supporting cast includes Ben Chaplin, Edward Fox, and Hugh Bonneville. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

It's said that you can't take on City Hall, but one man takes a game stab at the bus company in this comedy-drama from the U.K. Donovan (Colin Firth) is a genial eccentric who arrives in the small Scottish town of Port Clyde and rents a room in the home of a woman named Lucy (Katy Murphy). Life has not been kind to Lucy; after the death of her mother, Lucy was left to care for her bother Sandy (David Brown), who is mentally retarded, and her grandmother (Liz Smith), who is slipping into senility. These days, Lucy finds solace in drinking and an affair with a married man, Clive (David O'Hara), who has an alcohol problem of his own but dreams of leaving his wife and his job for better things. Sandy attends a special school for the challenged, but when the local bus service decides to do away with the route he takes to class, Lucy has no idea of what to do for him. Donovan, however, sees an opportunity in this problem; he buys a bus and starts a one-vehicle transportation service of his own, asking his passengers to only pay what they can afford and hiring Sandy as his fare collector when he isn't busy at school. The people of Port Clyde take to Donovan's new bus service, but the local transit authorities aren't at all happy to have competition, and Donovan finds his new business in hot water. Donovan Quick was the first theatrical feature from director David Blair, who previously made a name for himself in British television productions. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

The ruler of England discovers the value of common friendship in this historical drama. After the death of her husband Prince Albert, Queen Victoria (Judi Dench) is despondent, and she remains in mourning for two years after Albert's passing. When one of her servants suggests that a daily ride on horseback might be a tonic for the Queen's health and spirits, a Scotsman named John Brown (Billy Connolly) is hired as her guide and groom. At first, the Queen shows no interest in riding, though Brown readies a horse for her each day; finally, after several days, Mr. Brown speaks frankly to the Queen, announcing, "Honest to God, I never thought I'd see you in such a state!" While her court is shocked, the Queen is refreshed that someone would speak to her so directly. Soon the Queen is riding with Mr. Brown every morning, and she discovers him to be a friend and confidante who will speak to her as a person and not as a potentate. However, many are shocked by their relationship, believing that the commoner Mr. Brown is using his friendship for political advantage -- or worse, that he's become her lover. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide