Review:

Film "Stage Beauty" (UK/Germany/USA 2004) http://www.stagebeautymovie.com/

Director: Richard Eyre Writer: Jeffrey Hatcher Starring: Billy Crudup, Clare Danes, Rupert Everett…

Review by John Frame for Queer Radio on 4ZZZ fm102.1 Brisbane, Australia. (29th November, 2004)

Date: 29 November 2004

Summary: Academy Award standard cast and script

Stage Beauty is just about the best movie I've seen in the last year or so. Billy Crudup produces an exemplary performance and if there is a god he should be getting nominated for an Academy Award for best actor. He was very good in "Jesus' Son", but in this film Billy proves that he can do anything convincingly.

Stage Beauty is also unique in the way the main character deals with his self-awareness of sexuality and gender identity. I am not aware of another film that gives so much informed food for thought in this area.

It is the 1660’s in England and Billy Crudup’s Ned Kynaston is a professional stage actor who has been groomed specifically to play women’s roles since he was “discovered” as an attractive but starving adolescent street kid. Ned is, by habit, very much in touch with his feminine side, but he has to embrace his whole persona if he’s to survive as times get suddenly very tough for such actors. Ned’s personal assistant, aspiring actress Maria (Clare Danes) is the active catalyst for the revelation which allows him to fully embrace both life and love.

Stage Beauty is a non-judgmental exploration of gender, sexuality and love. The characters Ned and Maria gradually discover what is right for them in their relationship, despite a surrounding society of compromised morality. Their romance is tantalisingly developed - a rare element these days.

There's a strong complete supporting cast – but especially openly gay Rupert Everett who deserves a Supporting Actor nomination for his worldly Charles ll (and not just for being totally butch in full 17^th Century drag). Richard Griffiths upstages his “Withnail & I” performance (as gay uncle Monty) with the flouncing and very nasty aristocrat Sir Charles.

There are plenty of laughs, stunning visuals, impressive cinema surround sound and a script to die for.

Stage Beauty is 2 hours of your life best spent in the cinema.