Imogen Stubbs Movies
When Imogen Stubbs delighted worldwide audiences with her performance as Viola in a 1996 film production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Americans may have wondered who this talented newcomer was, when in fact Stubbs was no neophyte actress but a seasoned veteran well-known to British audiences. Highly regarded for her intelligence, versatility, and formidable acting skill, she had appeared previously, mostly in the U.K., in stage and radio plays, television series, and motion pictures. Among her credits were challenging roles in productions of Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, George Bernard Shaw, Anton Chekhov, and, for good measure, Monty Python.Stubbs was born on February 20, 1961, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in Northumberland, England. She and her family lived for a short time in Portsmouth, where her father served as a naval officer, then moved to London to an unusual address -- a barge on the River Thames. Her London environs and their rich theater heritage no doubt fed her acting fancies, and after graduating from Oxford, she received classical training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
When she was only 21, she launched her film career playing, coincidentally, the part of Imogen in Privileged, then appeared as Mrs. Gilbert in the TV series The Browning Version in 1985 and as Nanou in a film of the same name in 1986. As her talent matured, she took on a demanding schedule, making six more films -- including Erik the Viking -- between 1988 and 1991. While making these six films, she squeezed in stage performances, including a portrayal of Desdemona in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Othello under the supervision of acclaimed director Trevor Nunn, whom she later married. It was Nunn who directed her in the film version of Twelfth Night. In that film, she plays a young woman disguised as a man, who in her male garb, unwittingly attracts the attentions of another woman (Helena Bonham Carter). Stubbs' gender-bending role is a formidable test of her acting skill. On the one hand, she has to remain charming and feminine for filmgoers, who know she is really a woman, and bold and masculine for the characters in the play, who believe she is really a man. She passed the test, winning worldwide attention and the plaudits of critics.
In fact, the 1990s were golden for Stubbs. Besides her triumph in Twelfth Night, she appeared in other popular films, including the 1995 film production of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, in which she played Lucy Steele. She also took to the stage as Stella Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire, Yelena in Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, Joan in George Bernard Shaw's St. Joan, and Ellie Dunn in Shaw's Heartbreak House. In addition, she played a detective in a highly popular British television series, Anna Lee. During all this time, Stubbs managed to perform one other important role -- mother. She and Nunn have two children, Ellie and Jesse. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide
A fifteen year-old boy still recovering from the death of his father fantasizes that his deceased dad returns in ghostly form to put his new stepfamily to the ultimate test. Six years after David lost his father in a tragic car accident, his mother has moved on and found a new husband. But as these two separate families take their first tenuous steps toward becoming a whole, David finds that his new stepsiblings, tempestuous granny, and other quirky family members are simply too much to contend with. But David isn't the only one who seems to have a problem with his new family, because his father's ghost appears frequently to comment on the situation as well. Will David prove capable of leaving the past behind and building his future with a new family, or are his memories of a simpler past just too perfect to let go? Imogen Stubbs and Steven Geller star in a spirited family comedy featuring Rosanna Arquette, James Callis, and Anthony Calf. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Imogen Stubbs, Steven Geller, (more)
- 2002
This Discovery Channel release serves as a guide to the ancient roots of fairy-tale legends and magical myths. The meaning of various ancient pagan rituals are explored, as well as the origins of so-called sorcerer's activities, including the idea that wearing enchanted masks made from animal skin could turn the individual into that animal, and a look at ancient herbal potions. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
The classic Shakespearean comedy about mistaken identity and gender confusion is brought to the screen once again in this British production, courtesy of screenwriter-director Trevor Nunn. Nunn has transferred the time period to the Victorian Era of the late 19th century. Two twins, Viola (Imogen Stubbs) and Sebastian (Steven MacKintosh), are separated when their ship capsizes. Each believes that the other has drowned. Viola washes ashore on the coast of Illyria. She disguises herself as a man and assumes the name Cesario so that she can take a position as an aide to the Duke, Orsinio (Toby Stephens). Orsinio desires Olivia (Helena Bonham Carter), who refuses his attentions. He also flirts with Maria (Imelda Staunton), Olivia's maid. Orsinio sends Cesario as an emissary to Olivia. The foppish Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Richard E. Grant) also seeks Olivia's love. He is a friend of her besotted uncle, Sir Toby Belch (Mel Smith). With the clownish philosopher Feste (Ben Kingsley), all these members of Olivia's household plot to embarrass the dour Malvolio (Nigel Hawthorne), a butler who has no tolerance for frivolity. They fool Malvolio into thinking that Olivia desires him, and when he confesses his love, Olivia orders him imprisoned as a madman. Sebastian then turns up and is mistaken for Cesario. A series of mishaps follows. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Helena Bonham Carter, Imogen Stubbs, (more)
A temperamental London lawyer adapts to the challenges of fatherhood when he is left with sole responsibility for his infant daughter in this well-performed British comedy-drama. Richard E. Grant stars as Jack, a high-pressure attorney who believes his life is on the right track: a successful career, a beautiful wife (Imogen Stubbs), and a baby on the way. Tragedy strikes, however, when his wife dies during labor, leaving Jack to raise his daughter Sarah, named in his wife's honor. Shocked and depressed, Jack is forced to deal with his grief for the sake of the new child. At first reluctant to turn to others, he receives help from a local derelict (Ian McKellen) who begins to act as Jack's butler, and a charming young American woman, Amy (Samantha Mathis), who becomes Sarah's nanny. The new challenges of fatherhood provide Jack with his solace and eventually lead him reevaluate his life and behavior. The debut film of writer-director Tim Sullivan, Jack and Sarah follows a well-worn path, but Grant's nuanced central performance and a strong supporting cast elevate the material above its predictable outline. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard E. Grant, Samantha Mathis, (more)
- 1995
A group of good friends gather to help out a friend who has just returned from drug rehab in this drama. All of Brad's friends have gathered to welcome him back and celebrate. But most of his friends are troubled too. During the festivities, they rehash the events that lead up to his going. Despite their efforts to have fun, tension begins to form between the friends and violence ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
The recipient of seven Oscar® nominations, this film version of Jane Austen's classic 1811 novel stars Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood. With her mother and sisters, Elinor struggles financially after the death of her father, who bequeathed the Dashwood estate to his oafish son by an earlier marriage. While sorting out the family's affairs, the shy, self-sacrificing Elinor secretly falls for her stepbrother-in-law, Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant), a sensitive, well-educated bachelor who cannot court her because of his foolhardy youthful engagement to the greedy Lucy Steele (Imogen Stubbs). The grateful Dashwoods are offered a modest country home by family friends, which they accept. Once relocated, Elinor's brash, spirited sister Marianne (Kate Winslet) falls for a dashing local, John Willoughby (Greg Wise), a womanizer who nevertheless seems to share her affections. A prominent neighbor, Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman), also falls in love with Marianne, but she is oblivious to the older man's affections. Eventually, Willoughby fails Marianne, breaking her heart, until she realizes Brandon's feelings. When Edward's family disowns him, Lucy marries his brother instead, leaving him free to pursue an exultant Elinor. Thompson won the film's sole Oscar® for her screenplay adaptation of Austen's novel. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, (more)
- 1994
This complex political drama zeroes in on the life of a small bourgeois family living in Stalinist Czechoslovakia. It is set in the 50's. The family is falling apart from the pressure to think along party lines, even in private. The mere mention of the West could result in prison, or worse. Little Marushka is a normal, imaginative young girl who is not easily repressed. Her ways are not appreciated by her grandparents and her mother who possesses neither trait. Marushka's mother, an aspiring actress in the local socialist-realist theater, spends most of her time cozying up to local Communist leaders. She is too busy for her daughter which leaves the girl to be raised by her uncle and her grandparents. Marushka's uncle does not fully embrace Communist thinking. He values independence and free thinking. This gets the family in terrible trouble with the ever-present authorities. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joan Plowright, Ian Bannen, (more)
- 1993
Marie (Imogen Stubbs) has spent about the minimum amount of time she could with her daughter Sandra (Lisa Fusco), who up until now has been brought up at an institution. Sandra has Downs Syndrome, which produces a characteristic transformation of the features, typically comes with a few health problems, and yields mild to severe cognitive difficulties which vary with the individual. In this story, Sandra has reached an age where she must be returned to her family. Since Marie was a child when she had Sandra, she has never been well prepared to take care of her. Now that she is trying to make progress on a relationship with a man who is not noted for his tolerant and understanding nature, she is even more concerned about having Sandra around. She tries to pass her off as her younger sister, but during the day while she is at work, Marie's boyfriend treats Sandra quite harshly, which frightens her into leaving on a journey on her own. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Imogen Stubbs
John Cusack and James Spader play against type in Kevin Wade's morality play, directed by Herbert Ross. Spader plays Tim Gerrity, a well-heeled WASP blueblood, who has dedicated his life to justice and public service. Engaged to Diana Stiles (Imogene Stubbs), the daughter of a powerful senator (Richard Widmark), Tim seems to have a rosy future ahead of him. Enter Peter Burton (John Cusack), Peter's working-class roommate at the University of Virginia. Peter, a ravenous and devouring go-getter, is out to climb the political ladder at any cost. He sees Tim and latches onto him. Their friendship blooms at the university and continues afterwards, with the weak-willed Tim constantly deferring to the antagonistic and aggressive Peter. But they finally come to blows on skis when Tim finds out that Peter has bedded Diana, who has decided to drop Tim for his lack of ambition. When Peter blackmails Senator Stiles to secure a House seat, Tim rouses himself from his lethargy to fight Peter politically. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Cusack, James Spader, (more)
An unusually principled young Viking becomes increasing uncomfortable with all the killing and plundering that goes with the job, and sets out on a magical journey in order to bring about world peace. Former Monty Python member Terry Jones attempts to have his story of Erik's seemingly hopeless quest operate as both witty, lunatic satire and sincere children's fantasy. However, despite a good cast and some interesting design elements, the film fails to completely succeed at either of its goals. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Robbins, Gary Cady, (more)
- 1989
- R
Director Ken Russell returns to the D.H. Lawrence territory that had earlier served him well in Women in Love. Sammi Davis plays Lawrence's Welsh heroine Ursula Brangwen, daughter of a wealthy mine owner, who is first seen as a child given to literally chasing rainbows. Disappointed that she can never have the real thing, the older Davis seeks out figurative rainbows in the form of sexual fulfillment. Neither heterosexual nor homosexual affairs fully satisfy Davis, because no one lover can match the "ideal" the girl has created in her imagination. Davis' disappointment in the world is paralleled with the sorry lot of the wives of the local coal miners, who have adapted to their lives--something Davis can never do, will never do. Stately despite its raw subject matter, The Rainbow was filmed just before Russell's outrageous sword-and-sorcery fantasy Lair of the White Worm; since both films utilize many of the same cast members, the two pictures might make an astonishing double feature. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sammi Davis, Paul McGann, (more)
- 1989
Filmed in Britain, Fellow Traveller is set during the waning days of Hollywood's Communist "witchhunt". The film begins with the suicide of "unfriendly" movie star Hart Bochner; we then briefly flash back to the friendship between Bochner and his close friend, blacklisted writer Ron Silver. Working pseudonymously in England, Silver seeks out the late Bochner's girl friend Imogen Stubbs, who has not renounced her leftist views. He has an affair with Imogen, and through her regains his commitment to his own political preferences. Incidentally, the TV series for which Silver writes in Fellow Traveller is the popular The Adventures of Robin Hood, which actually did hire blacklistees in the mid-1950s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ron Silver, Hart Bochner, (more)
- 1988
Based on the novel by D.H. Lawrence, the BBC miniseries The Rainbow starred Imogen Stubbs as Ursula Brangwen, the beautiful, naïve daughter of a wealthy country squire. Ursula's sexual awakening came about as the result of her very close friendship with Winifred Inger (Kate Buffery), her swimming instructor. Desperately struggling to suppress her preference for romantic partners of her own sex, Ursula entered into marriage with Anton Skrebensky (Martin Wenner), a career soldier. The ensuing unhappiness of this union led to even more trials and tribulations for the hapless heroine, whose only "crime" was being born in the wrong place and the wrong time. Engendering a great deal of audience interest thanks to a brief nude scene, the three-part The Rainbow aired in 1988. One year later, a more explicit theatrical-feature version of the property was directed by Ken Russell. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Imogen Stubbs, Tom Bell, (more)
- 1988
- PG13
Megan (Imogen Stubbs) is a pretty country girl who falls in love with urban attorney Ashton (James Wilby) in this romantic social drama. Ashton remains in Devon when he injures his ankle and elects to stay longer because of his crush on Megan. Promising to return for her, Ashton leaves Megan and visits an old school friend in Torquay. The procrastinating barrister falls for his friend's sister Stella (Sophie Ward) and forgets about his promise to Megan. When she travels to Torquay to locate the man she loves, the spineless Ashton cowers behind closed shutters instead of facing the brokenhearted Megan. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Imogen Stubbs, James Wilby, (more)
Tumultuous Beirut provides the setting for this political drama that centers on a world-weary, lazy American reporter who has been reluctantly assigned to cover the latest war between the PLO and the Christian Phalangists. He could care less about the conflict and sends in stories stolen from other hard-working journalists until he begins getting more involved and interested after he humiliates himself by interviewing a bogus PLO leader. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christopher Walken, Hywel Bennett, (more)
- 1986
This drama concerns a young woman who takes far too long to grow up. Nanou (Imogen Stubbs) skips out of England to bum around Europe and have some adventures. Leaving Geneva behind after a stint at waitressing, she meets and eventually moves in with a roust-about named Luc (Jean-Philippe Ecoffey). Luc is ostensibly a '60s revolutionary, spouting all the right jargon and apparently committed to noble but illegal activities that help the working masses. He involves Nanou in his shenanigans, which include anything from dashing off political grafitti to a plot to blow up a railroad track. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Imogen Stubbs, Jean-Philippe Ecoffey, (more)
- 1982
This British drama is thought to be the first student feature film made at Oxford University. It is also notable for marking the film debut of actors Hugh Grant, Imogen Stubbs, and James Wilby. The story is focused on a group of undergraduates, one of whom considers himself a fine actor. During a production of The Duchess of Malfi, he attempts to seduce the leading lady, but she rejects him. To console himself, he begins going after the wife of his well-born friend. When his friend catches the aspiring actor messing with his wife, he challenges him to a duel. Ever the gentleman, the nobleman opts to kill himself during the duel rather than take the life of the actor. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
