The Dresser

Ronald Harwood has adapted his very successful play THE DRESSER for the screen and under Richard Eyre's direction and the consummate skills of a brilliant cast this made for television film is one of the finest pieces of cinema of the year.

The story is as much about the aging process as it is about the frustrations and challenges of being on the stage a bit past the moment when lines can be remembered and directions not as natural as once they were become a challenge. It is also a very fine study of British theater – not the glowing lights 'Broadway' type, but the little touring countries that brought and bring Shakespeare to the people in the little towns where the audiences respect theater.

The film opens during the blitz of England during WW II in a rundown old theater that despite the blitz an audience has packed the house for a production by a small, struggling theater company of Shakespeare's 'King Lear'. The titular head of the company (Sarah Lancashire) worries that aging actor 'Sir' (Anthony Hopkins) and his wife Her Ladyship (Emily Watson) will be able to perform. 'Sir' is plainly unwell, discharging himself from hospital and Her Ladyship believes he should cancel his upcoming performance of 'King Lear'. However Norman (Ian McKellen), his outspoken, gay dresser disagrees and is determined that the show will go on, cajoling the confused 'Sir' into giving a performance - one which will be his swansong, at the same time drawing a parallel between King Lear and his fool as Norman, despite ultimate disappointment, serves his master.

The relationship between Sir and Norman is profound and in the end very touching. Hopkins and McKellen and Watson are in top form and are ably supported by Lancashire, Edward Fox (unrecognizable in his costume as the Fool), and Vanessa Kirby. This is a splendid film on every count and one that deserves many awards.

Ignoring the temptation to compare it with the 1983 version, its basic virtue remains the acting. Few scenes are just impressive as fair portraits of loneliness and illusion and apparences.

A film about aging and desillusions.

Beautiful chemistry between Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins, admirable work of Edward Fox as Geoffrey, provocative job of Sarah Lancashire and few crumbs about Anthony Hopkins in the role of King Lear in the recent cinema adaptation.

The precious gift - the clear - precise bitterness of final.

A precise circle of frustrations and defining of truth and a honest remind of the precious gifts of main actors.

There's superb acting in this deep and powerful drama, adapted to the screen by Ronald Harwood, based on his own play, and ably directed by Richard Eyre. It will probably appeal only to a certain slice of viewers, those that can get into a deliberately paced and dialogue driven film and are not looking for an action flick.

The lead actors here Anthony Hopkins, Ian McKellen, Emily Watson, and Sarah Lancashire are all excellent in their roles. with a fine supporting cast enhancing the movie. To be honest, I hadn't heard of Lancashire before, but she was quite amazing in a very understated performance, and one scene with Hopkins was truly mesmerizing.

All in all, I found this film became even more powerful as it progressed and with its superb acting, writing, and direction can certainly be recommended for those that like a heavy and most well presented drama.

The Dresser in my country is not a popular movie. As a young movie freak, I don't know this kind of movie until Lionsgate Play application coming up on my Apple TV+ app. So here is my review: The storyline of "The Dresser" somehow connected with the role of dresser and his presence to convince an old under-rated actor in ordinary theater in London, so the actor can remember the dialogue and re-motivated on his acting purposes. Sometimes the actor (played by Sir Anthony Hopkins) is being demotivated by himself. Then he can't love everybody around him. The Dresser (played by Sir Ian McKellen), is always there to support him. For me this movie is a moment of dramatic scene that I've been waiting for between McKellen & Hopkins. They are both senior actors, Sir-s, and having lead roles in any kind of movie. Their mature acting makes this movie beautiful ly wrapped with low-budget assumption, because the location is only in 1 (one theater), with the whole corridors and the preparation on the actor's room. A worth it movie to be watched. Thank you Lionsgate Play app.

It's strange how a movie like THE DRESSER can echo through your memory, as I watched this well made and elegant made for STARZ version I enjoyed greatly the performances of Hopkins and McKellen and also the strong support from Vanessa Kirby and Edward Fox. However, echoes of the original movie with Albert Finney and Tom Courtney kept flooding back, Finney was a force of nature as Sir and Courtney felt much more heightened and on edge than McKellen who often appeared to be consciously downplaying Norman. There is much to like here but if you are new to The Dresser maybe you watch the Peter Yates movie first.