A delightful and wholly original approach to both biography and the exploration of the creative process, focusing on Gilbert and Sullivan's rocky road to "The Mikado." Director Mike Leigh's usual technique is to have his actors create their dialogue during rehearsals, and here the result is more a series of vignettes than a straight narrative. Most of these moments are illuminating - pay close attention to the costume fitting scenes - but others stray rather far from the point and drag out the length without adding much. (One of the earliest of these, a scene involving topless women, was probably responsible for the film's R rating, which is a shame.)
Overall, however, the combination of long, leisurely takes and meticulous costuming and art direction is totally involving. This is the first film I've seen which truly made me feel that I was standing in the characters' living room while they conversed.
Not for fans of MTV - Leigh is not afraid of holding the camera in place for five minutes - but worth seeing just for the six different degrees of "Ah HA!" on Gilbert's face moments after inspiration literally hits.
Overall, however, the combination of long, leisurely takes and meticulous costuming and art direction is totally involving. This is the first film I've seen which truly made me feel that I was standing in the characters' living room while they conversed.
Not for fans of MTV - Leigh is not afraid of holding the camera in place for five minutes - but worth seeing just for the six different degrees of "Ah HA!" on Gilbert's face moments after inspiration literally hits.