Topsy Turvy 1999
There was a lot of good buzz about this one and some people even thought it would win some Oscars. It’s an interesting period piece and a unique look at theater, but ultimately it comes off almost as a documentary.
The setting is London in the 1880’s. The latest Gilbert and Sullivan musical, after a string of successes, is getting mixed reviews and Sullivan (who writes the music) is thinking it is time to move on to writing more important music instead of playing second fiddle to Gilbert’s lyrics. Gilbert’s work ethic and dedication to his contract with the Savoy Theater push him to keep writing even though he is out of fresh ideas.
There is a good story here and it goes much deeper, dealing with the theater owner, the actors, and Gilbert and Sullivan’s personal lives as well. I liked that the people who made the movie didn’t fall for easy traps, but they are never far from the traps. They set the traps but then they never set them off. You’re always thinking something big is about to happen, but it NEVER DOES. Instead everything continues on at about the same pace for almost three hours. By the end Gilbert and Sullivan have gotten back together to write The Mikado and it gets rave reviews. After it’s over you keep looking back and picking out things that seemed like they were going to develop into something, but never did. One actress is admonished not to let her “problem” affect her performance. What is the problem? She seems to drink a lot of wine and she is a single mother, but it’s hard to say exactly how these would endanger her performance. Gilbert is accosted on the street by a crazy homeless woman. But it goes nowhere. Another actress has some kind of injury or disease on her leg, but we never find out what it is and it’s never re-visited. That’s why I say this has a documentary feel: things happen, but not for any real reason. That’s true in real life, but movies are supposed to have plot twists and surprises that aren’t so common in real life.
So I think overall I was left wanting a lot more out of this and feeling cheated that in 3 hours they couldn’t pack more stuff in. I could have missed almost any 30 minutes of the movie and been able to pick up again right away.
Acting performances were all good and as a period piece the costumes and sets were all first rate. There were a lot of nice details and insights into the people and times, but it just doesn’t come together as a movie. If you really love theater or Gilbert and Sullivan, don’t miss it. Otherwise you’re not missing much.
B-
Written: 04 Mar 2000