Product Details

• Actors: Mike Nichols, Miranda Richardson, David de Keyser
• Directors: David Hare
• Writers: Wallace Shawn
• Producers: Mike Nichols, David Hare, Donna Grey, Mark Shivas, Simon Curtis
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: First Look Pictures
• VHS Release Date: February 29, 2000
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0941981088
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,559 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A unique and disturbing work, The Designated Mourner is the feature film version of the hugely successful play by Wallace Shawn which was first staged by David Hare at London's Royal National Theatre with Mike Nichols (whose brilliant performance was the talk of the town) in the leading role of "Jack." The play has now been created anew for the screen by the same cast, writer, director and designer.

Told almost entirely in direct address, the screenplay by Wallace Shawn is an astonishing tour-de-force, as enthralling as his earlier cult classic, My Dinner with Andre (written and performed with Andre Gregory). Directed by playwright/filmmaker David Hare, starring Miranda Richardson, David de Keyser and one of America's most famous film directors, Mike Nichols, in his feature film acting debut, The Designated Mourner is a genuinely original, intimate, and compelling experience.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some people just don't get it...., June 11, 2005

By 

Edward R. O'Neill "edwardoneill" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Designated Mourner (DVD)

Okay. Most of the people complaining about this movie act as if the MOVIE failed because they fail to take it seriously.

Yes, it's three actors talking directly to the camera for 90 minutes.

Get over it.

Yes, Wallace Shawn is not exactly the person to write an obit on the death of High Culture. And one reviewer is right to say the main character is just a pretentious faker (like Shawn?!).

And no, no one appoints that character the designated mourner for Western Culture--no one but himself.

But this film is also about despotism, and how quickly the life of the mind is snuffed out by politicians who put limits on expression.

The movie is a fascinating allegory. Yes, it's conflicted. Growing up with the inheritance of The New Yorker, no less, Shawn must be terribly conflicted about Cult-chya. But so is our society as a whole.

That's the worst thing about these other reviews. Even the writers who realize the film's about the various 'brows'--highbrow, lowbrow, etc.--fail to recognize how complexly the film negotiates these choppy cultural waters.

I adore Miranda Richardson. She's the perfect self-aware victim here--brittle but not shrill (as she can be).

Mike Nichols is indeed a revelation. He can do about ten layers of irony wrapped in sarcasm underneath hatred etc.

And if you don't want to think or be challenged, see another movie.

If you watch this one in the right frame of mind, it will really touch you deeply AND make you think.

And Pauline Kael in her last interview said it was an overlooked gem. So I'm right.

I know it's childish, but it's how I feel.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A cerebral, engaging, fascinating film., March 4, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Designated Mourner [VHS] (VHS Tape)

David Hare's The Designated Mourner starring Mike Nichols, Miranda Richardson, and David de Keyser, is based on a play by Wallace Shawn. Told almost entirely in direct address, the film is a genuinely original, intimate, and compelling viewing experience of the sort as Wallace Shawn's earlier triumph, My Dinner with Andre (written and performed with Andre Gregory). The Designated Mourner is a cerebral, engaging, fascinating film that will be reflected upon long after the closing credits run. Color, 95 minutes.

5.0 out of 5 stars Indeed, use your ears., November 5, 2008

By 

mzmac "mzmac" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Designated Mourner (DVD)

For lovers of the spoken word, for those who cherish poetry. Rare moments, astonishingly delivered.