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| Dvdivas
was founded by John Gabbard in 2000. It's purpose has been and
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the latest dvds and movie reviews. It will continue to be your
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“The
Dresser”
|
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Reviewed
by: |
Dara R. Cosby |
| Genre: |
Drama |
| Video: |
1.85:1 Anamorphic
Widescreen |
| Audio: |
Dolby Digital
|
| Languages |
English |
| Subtitles |
English,
Japanese |
| Length |
118 minutes |
| Rating |
PG |
| Release Date |
April 6,
2004 |
| Studio |
Columbia
TriStar Home Entertainment |
| Commentary:
|
None |
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
|
None |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
None |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
Trailers |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
None |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
None |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Albert Finney,
Tom Courtenay |
| Written
By: |
Ronald Harwood |
| Produced
By: |
Peter Yates
|
| Directed
By: |
Peter Yates
|
| Music:
|
James Horner
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| The
Review: |
“The Dresser” was a five time Oscar
nominee in 1983. The story centers on Sir (Albert Finney)
and his British theater company, “The Coronet Players.” Intense
relationships abound, especially between Sir and his dresser,
Norman (Tom Courtenay). The film is set during WWII and the
company is preparing to put on the two hundred and twenty
seventh performance of “King Lear” starring Sir. The drama
occurs because Sir is senile and extremely ill. ***
Norman must coach, prod and plead
with Sir to go on stage and perform. Norman uses his quick
wit and patience to deal with Sir berating and humiliating
behavior. The rest of the company’s cast and crew are loyal
to the star, but are skeptical of his ability to go on. Norman
continually has to reassure both the company and his charge.
The sad thing about “The Dresser” is the co-dependant nature
of Norman and Sir’s contentious friendship. Norman’s 16 years
of anger and bitterness explode at the end of the film to
terrific heights. ***
The acting and direction is outstanding
the film and deserving of the accolades it received. Finney
and Courtenay shine in their respective roles. Courtenay hinders
on obsessive in his attention to Finney, but reins it in as
a man who needs the position he has, even if it causes him
to lose his dignity. Finney’s Sir is great bounding back and
forth from losing his mind to giving wonderful monologues!
“The Dresser” is a marvelous character study and for those
viewers who yearn for great acting in films, this is a must
see. ***
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| Image
and Sound: |
The color
is muted and has a dated appearance. This works well, because
the film is set in war torn England in the forties. The sound
quality is well done, which is fortunate because the character’s
thick British accents can be difficult to hear clearly. ***
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| The
Extras: |
I wish there
was commentary on this great film’s DVD. There are trailers
for the films: “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”, “Big Fish”
and “Annie.” |
| Commentary:
|
None |
| Final
Words: |
I love Albert
Finney! Okay, I was obsessed with “Annie” as a kid, but I feel
“The Dresser” is a more respectable reason to adore Daddy Warbucks…
I mean Albert Finney! See this film. |
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