Customer Reviews

Topsy-Turvy

5 star:		(97)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

Topsy-Turvy is the story of the creation of the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta, "The Mikado." It contains not just the story of the musical's creation but many scenes from Mikado and other G&S musicals. Long-time "G&S" (Gilbert & Sullivan) fans probably found this movie a long time ago. I am one of them, so first I'll say that I found the performance of the G&S material in this movie absolutely superb. I've never seen a Mikado as genuinely funning and eccentric as Tim Sprall's, or a Yum-Yum as winsomely self-centered as Shirley Hendersen's Leonora Branham.

Viewers who find musicals simplistic or shallow or generally silly should make an exception in the case of Topsy-Turvy. It is none of those things. In true Mike Leigh fashion, the actors inhabit their characters like second skin. No one is simple or shallow. Nor does Leigh avoid the seamier side of London theatrical life. I particularly liked Jim Broadbent's bitterly comic and misanthropic Gilbert, Martin Savage as the opium-addicted George Grossmith (the 'patter baritone' who rips through Gilbert's rapidfire lyrics like a rap song), and Lucy Manville as Gilbert's long-suffering wife.

Finally, the film is visually beautiful and detailed; wonderful costumes, lighting, and sets that seem faultless in their historical detail.

One of the best, if not the best, bio-pic ever made.

This delightful retelling of the creation of the Gilbert and Sullivan masterpiece THE MIKADO is as improbable a product from the hands of Mike Leigh as a Hollywood shoot-'em-up would have been from Jane Campion. Leigh had made his reputation by crafting some amazingly intimate films about human relationships in films like the astonishing SECRETS AND LIES (which features in Brenda Blethyn one of the two or three greatest performances ever by an actress in any film). The idea of doing a historical recreation of Gilbert and Sullivan is not one that easily attaches itself to Leigh. Nonetheless, this film is in every sense masterful and entertaining.

With a director of the ability of Mike Leigh, it is no surprise that the film is superb as a production. Everything is superb about the film. The art direction and set design is extraordinary, and I can't imagine a historical film more compellingly done than this one. Moreover, the musical numbers are exquisitely done, and always convincing.

In the end, however, as superb as the direction and the design are, what drives this movie are the performers. This is a very fine ensemble cast, many of them Mike Leigh regulars, like the very fine Timothy Sprall, who winningly plays Richard Temple. Jim Broadbent has since the release of TOPSY-TURVY managed to establish himself as a superstar character actor through films like MOULIN ROUGE, NICHOLAS NICKLEBY, and IRIS (for which he won an Oscar). I always marvel at his range and his ability to sell any role. He is stellar here as the Stoic and emotionally conservative W. S. Gilbert. I really enjoyed Shirley Henderson (who I recently saw in a great Danish/Scottish film WILBUR WANTS TO KILL HIMSELF, which I hope will get released in the United States) in her smallish role as a musical performer who is struggling with problems of addiction (like many others in the D'Oyly Carte company). The relatively unknown (at least in the U.S.) Martin Savage stands out as George Grossmith, the person who not only starred in the Gilbert and Sullivan musicals, but was the foremost musical stage performer of the late Victorian age, sort of London's answer to Mandy Patinkin a hundred years later. Grossmith also wrote a highly popular book with his brother Weedon, THE DIARY OF A NOBODY. I could go on and on about other performers who stood out in small but impressive roles, such as Lesley Manville, who has a heartbreaking scene as Gilbert's unfulfilled and quietly unhappy wife.

It has to be emphasized that this is not a movie only for fans of light opera. It really is irrelevant whether someone does or does not enjoy Gilbert and Sullivan. This is primarily a movie about people, about show business, and about how a group of flawed and merely human beings can collaborate in producing something phenomenal. This is not a niche film. It is a film to be enjoyed by anyone who enjoyed movies at their best.

It took me two viewings to understand what was going on in the first half of the film -- a dark and confusing period in the lives of the two artists. On a second viewing the whole thing came together for me.

I found the rendering of the historical period to be splendid --as convincing as Rossellini's "Louis XIV".

The actual creation and staging of the Mikado (in the second half of the film) is likely to delight anyone familiar with the works of G&S -- or anyone who has ever struggled to put together an effective theatrical production. The poignant illnesses and psychic suffering of the Savoy actors -- as well as the suffering of G&S -- set one up for goosebumps when they soared triumphantly into song on opening night.

The language and witty word play in many scenes were like the first stages of a multi-stage rocket that ultimately hurled Gilbert's wonderfully silly and witty libretto into artistic orbit. (Forgive me. I am an intellectual chap.)

If you don't like Gilbert and Sullivan, you should avoid TOPSY-TURVY; clocking in at about two hours and forty minutes, it would probably be a torturous experience. For everyone else, however, I give this movie my highest recommendation. TOPSY-TURVY concerns itself with a period during which Gilbert and Sullivan find themselves at a professional impasse. Their inability to agree on a suitable story for collaboration eventually leads to their most popular operetta, "The Mikado." Director Mike Leigh's object, however, is to tell the story behind the story; he lets us peek into the professional and personal lives of Sullivan, Gilbert, and the D'Oyly Carte Company. Jim Broadbent anchors the film with his tremendous performance as W.S. Gilbert; he is infuriating and arrogant, yet plagued with self doubt and even occasionally gentle. Alan Cordeneur does well as Arthur Sullivan, yet his performance is less involving and we don't get to know him that well; but perhaps that was the point. Leslie Manville is quite touching as Gilbert's long suffering wife, Kitty. The D'Oyly Carte performers are played with just the right combination of humanity and theatricality; in particular, Timothy Spall as Richard Temple (bewildered and hurt that his role as the Mikado might be whittled to almost nothing!) and Dorothy Atkinson, charming and alluring as Jessie Bond, are outstanding. There are generous musical excerpts from "The Mikado," "The Sorcerer," "Princess Ida," and Sullivan's non-Gilbert music. There is so much more worth praising in TOPSY-TURVY, but instead I'll just close by saying: DON'T MISS IT!

Perhaps the great Mike Leigh's biggest and most colorful spectacle, "Topsy-Turvy" has always had a special place in my heart. An unexpected change of pace from the master of grounded working class realism, this grandiose film is a bright and highly amusing romp through the musical realm of Gilbert and Sullivan. Getting its due with an impressive Criterion release, I'm hoping that "Topsy-Turvy" is ripe to be rediscovered and to officially take its place as one of Leigh's greatest achievements! I know that there might be some skepticism from viewers unfamiliar with the film. Does the staging of a 1885 musical depicted in a nearly three hour film really sound that compelling? Perhaps not--except to aficionados of the stage and/or musical history. But even if you have no idea who Gilbert and Sullivan were, "Topsy-Turvy" is still a delightfully entertaining film that can be appreciated for many reasons.

Reeling from a recent theatrical failure, our musical duo is at odds about how to proceed. Battling one another over the merits of art versus commercialism (the eternal debate), a Japanese influence provides the basis for what is to become "The Mikado." "The Mikado," lest you are not familiar with Gilbert and Sullivan, is one of their most enduring comic operas. (In fact, the 1939 film adaptation of "The Mikado" is also joining the Criterion Collection!) The rest of the film chronicles the outlandish trials and tribulations getting this production off the ground. Allan Corduner and an impeccable Jim Broadbent play the famous duo, and the actors play off each other wonderfully. Together and separately, they face a barrage of problems--not least of which is the large and eccentric cast of actors. But their biggest obstacles might be one another and the different and contradictory driving forces that motivate them to work.

A robust comedy of manners, a slapstick tour-de-force, and an inside peak at the artistic process--"Topsy-Turvy" works on a myriad of levels. Of course, the music is terrific, the staging impressive, and the costuming won an Oscar. Mike Leigh's screenplay is spot-on--smart, literate, insightful, and wickedly funny--really near perfection. And this is one of the finest casts ever with even the smallest roles being inhabited by large performances. Some of the other familiar names populating the film include Timothy Spall, Shirley Henderson, Andy Serkis, Kevin McKidd, Dexter Fletcher, and Leslie Manville to name a few. I well and truly love "Topsy-Turvy" and it's about time it got a decent DVD release. The Criterion assembly includes a new digital transfer approved by Leigh and supervised by the film's cinematographer Dick Pope.

Features include a "making of" that was present on an earlier edition, but the rest is all new. There is a Leigh commentary, deleted scenes, a new discussion with Leigh and the film's musical director, and a short film from 1992 by Leigh and starring Broadbent. In all seriousness, this hysterical little film is something I'd buy by itself, so obviously I think it's a fantastic extra. Do yourself a favor, check this one out! KGHarris, 12/10.

It's understandable that a lot of people have a strong resistance to this movie. It's long, it's full of details about theatrical life in the late 19th century London, it has (and this is certainlly the biggest obstacle for most) a lot of musical scenes. But it's also a pity that prejudice might be alienating a lot of people to a film that, for all its apparent dificulties, is one of the most enjoyables of the last decade. In fact, I can't think of another movie last year with so many memorable scenes. Sure, Gilbert and Sullivan music won't do for every taste. (I never thought I would enjoy it.) But Topsy-Turvy can certainly win a lot of fans for them. And deservedly, since Gilbert's librettos, despite the ridiculous plots, are some of the wittiest in musical theatre, and Sullivan's music is full of inventive touches. Most of all, Topsy-Turvy is a wonderfully funny and touching description of the process of creating art. All the actors are excellent, especially Jim Broadbent as Gilbert and Lesley Manville as his wife, both in a devastatingly beautiful and melancholic end scene. And Mike Leigh's direction is the best of 1999.

Mike Leigh gives modern significance to Gilbert and Sullivan with his film Topsy-Turvy. Gilbert and Sullivan musicals seem horribly dated to modern sensibilty, but Leigh surpasses such thought to deliver a film showing that theater really hasn't changed much in the past hundred years. Leigh portrays life in the theatre more accurately than any other film released in the past few years. We see the entire arch of the creative process in developing a work of theatre. From the difficulty of collaborating to write a piece of theater, the back-stage alliances against the director, to the endless (and I mean ENDLESS) rehearsal process where you are forced to read lines again and again in a confined space, Leigh is dead on the money throughout. Anyone who has taken part in theatre (from playing the star in the christmas pagent, to starring in a broadway show) would appreciate this film. Other than that, the film is beautifully filmed with vibrant color to parallel the crazy atmosphere of Gilbert and Sullivan's work. Costuming is exquisite, especially the "Three Little Maids" scene. Wonderful ensemble of actors, check out the scene where Gilbert is sitting on his bed talking to his wife, it's just beautiful. I highly recommend this film, it is one of Leigh's best films, and one of the best films of 1999.

Mike Leigh's films are usually of the "kitchen sink" variety, showing middle class/working class people in the U.K., and their trials and tribulations in dealing with life. Here he does something quite different, and the results are astounding. This is my favorite Leigh film, a complete departure for him, and one in which he triumphs brilliantly. As other reviewers have noted, this is a backstage drama of Gilbert and Sullivan putting on one of their most famous operas, The Milkado. It really captures the time period brilliantly, and it shows how much time, energy, and stamina is put into putting on any production. Another pleasure I get from this film is the language. Everyone in the film is so incredibly well spoken. After nearly 20 some odd years of having to listen to Hollywood film butcher the English language (and some British ones too, no doubt trying to emulate the stupidity of Hollywood), it's lovely to hear English as it should be spoken. Yes, I am sounding a bit snobbish, but I don't care. It's bloody lovely, it is. The film is beautifully designed, directed, shot, and the performances are wonderful. The leads are perfect (Jim Broadbent as Gilbert, and Allan Courdier as Sullivan), but every role is indeed perfect here. The casting is impeccable. This is a wonderful film, one that can be experienced over and over again.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences might have revealed a glimmer of intelligence amid the cheap glitter had it awarded Mike Leigh and Jim Broadbent the Oscars they deserved (it won for costume design and makeup), instead of showering accolades on the excellent but far over-rated American Beauty.

The only reason I can see for other reviewers describing Topsy Turvy as a comedy is Broadbent's portrayal of Gilbert as a man of limitless wit. It is about comedy, and much of it is funny, but by the end of the film one has been touched by the humanity of its characters and the perfect period performances of G&S masterpieces.

A fine, fine movie, too subtle and witty for an audience that usually bestows its honors on the biggest noise.

Amongst the greatest musical collaborations of all time, the collaboration between English dramatist, poet and illustrator W.S. Gilbert and composer Sir Arthur Sullivan. Both famous for their work which include "H.M.S. Pinafore", "The Pirates of Penzance" and "The Mikado".

"The Mikado" is a comedic opera featuring music by Sullivan and libretto by Gilbert and it was their ninth of fourteenth operatic collaboration which opened in London back in March 14, 1885 and ran at the Savoy Theatre for 672 performances and by the end of that year, it was estimated that at least 150 companies were producing the opera.

When the opera was created, it was back during the 1880's when no one knew much about Japan and since the 1860's, there has been a fad of interest in Japan because all that people have heard was how exotic the location was and needless to say, people were intrigued by another country, so different than theirs. So, because of the interest in Japan, W.S. Gilbert was able to satirize British politics and institutions by disguising them as Japanese. But the inspiration for Gilbert to create something around Japanese culture, was because of a sword which supposedly fell from his wall. Because a Japanese family had moved to Knightsbridge, he recalled seeing the Japanese in their exotic robes and this was the inspiration he needed to create "The Mikado".

To celebrate this collaboration, the Criterion Collection is releasing on Blu-ray and DVD, both the 1939 film adaptation of "The Mikado" and Mike Leigh's ("Happy-Go-Lucky", "Vera Drake", "Secrets & Lies") 1999 music drama film "Topsy-Turvy" about Gilbert & Sullivan's strained relationship and how "The Mikado" came to fruition.

The film would win an Oscar for "Best Costume Design (Lindy Hemming) and "Best Make-Up" (Christine Blundell, Trefor Proud) and would also be nominated for "Best writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen" (Mike Leigh) and "Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Eve Stewart, John Bush).

"Topsy-Turvy" begins in 1984 as "Princess Ida" is having its opening night at the Savoy Theatre. We get to see Arthur Sullivan (played by Allan Corduner) who is quite ill and is injected morphine (common during that time) in order for him to conduct at the theater. For Sullivan, he is growing tired of the operas that he and Gilbert are creating and wants to create a Grand Opera which pretty falls on deaf ears.

While Sullivan goes to Europe in hopes for his health to improve, ticket sales for "Princess Ida" continue to worse, so producer Richard D'Oyly Carte (played by Ron Cook) contacts W.S. Gilbert and Sullivan to an important meeting to create a new piece for the Savoy Theatre. Unfortunately, despite having a winning collaboration with W.S. Gilbert (played by Jim Broadbent), their relationship is starting to sour and both men do not know if they can work together and feel that their partnership has run its course. So, for now...Carte has no choice but to revive an earlier work of theirs titled "The Sorcerer".

But one day, while Gilbert and his wife visit a popular exhibition of Japanese arts and crafts in Knightsbridge, London, he is captured by the Japanese tradition culture. From the geisha's who are dancing, to watching a little kabuki, he has no idea how much being there at the time would capture his attention to exotic Japan.

While in his study, a katana sword falls off the wall and from that point on, Arthur Sullivan is inspired to write a libretto set in exotic Japan.

The second half of the film features Gilbert, Carte and Sullivan working together in making "The Mikado" a success, which includes the challenges of getting the talent to wear Japanese outfits, the rehearsals and trying to get it right, backstage presentations, negotiating of salaries and also trying to capture the authenticity of Japan from the way they walk and use their fans.

With the lack of success of "Princess Ida", will Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado" succeed with the audience this time? Or is this the absolute final collaboration for the duo?

VIDEO:

"Topsy-Turvy" is presented in the filmmaker's preferred aspect ration of 1:78:1. The film looks absolutely fantastic in HD. First, the art direction by Helen Scott, production design by Eve Stewart and the set decoration by John Bush and Stewart were fantastic. The crew worked hard in trying to capture the 1880's and because of the colorful outfits of "The Mikado", the film is quite vibrant. You can see the textures in the clothing, even for the sets and walls. Amazing detail and clarity and considering this is a 1999 film, there are times when you noticed films from the '90s on Blu-ray looking a bit soft or even aged. Not in the case for this film. The picture quality was great, even during the more reddish moments where you expect banding, didn't see it at all.

Skin tones were natural, blacks were nice and deep. The Criterion Collection fans should be quite happy with the video presentation of this film.

"Topsy-Turvy" was supervised by cinematographer Dick Pope and approved by director Mike Leigh. According to the Criterion Collection, the new digital transfer was created on a Spirit Datacine in 2K resolution from a 35 mm interpositive. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, warps, jitter and flicker were manually removed using MTI's DRS system and Pixel Farm's PFClean system, while Digital Vision's DVNR system was used for small dirt, grain and noise reduction.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

"Topsy-Turvy" is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio. The lossless soundtrack is crystal clear as the crisp dialogue and music definitely sounds fantastic as it comes through the front and center channels. The surround channels feature the crowd ambiance as you can hear the audience clapping or cheering after a play.

According to the Criterion Collection, the surround soundtrack was remastered at 24-bit from the original 35mm magnetic tracks. Clicks, thumps, hiss and hum were manually removed using Pro Tools HD. Crackle was attenuated using AudioCube's integrated audio workstation.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

"Topsy-Turvy - The Criterion Collection #558' on Blu-ray comes with the following special features:

* Commentary - Audio commentary featuring director Mike Leigh
* Mike Leigh & Gary Yershon - (37:22) A fascinating video conversation between Leigh and musical director, Gary Yershon. Yershon poses the questions to Leigh about why he focused on Sullivan, why he chose "The Mikado" to use for the film and Yershon talks about the work of W.S. Gilbert.
* A Sense of History - (26:16) Leigh's 1992 short film A Sense of History, written by and starring actor Jim Broadbent. About the Twenty-Third Earle of Leete.
* Deleted scenes - Featuring four deleted scenes that were only cut for duration purposes: Helen and D'oyly Carte, Brothel Scene (Uncut), Sullivan's Aspirations and "If Patriotic Sentiment - Wanted" (Cut Song)
* Featurette - (9:49) Featurette from 1999 including interviews with Leigh, Jim Broadbent, Allan Corduner and cast members.
* Theatrical trailer and TV spots - Featuring the theatrical trailer, TV spot 1 & 2 and TV Spot for soundtrack.

EXTRAS:

Included is a 18-page booklet featuring information about the cover (Joge-e) and "Great Performances" essay by film critic and editor Amy Taubin.

JUDGMENT CALL:

"Topsy-Turvy" is well-crafted, well-acted and a magnificent film by director Mike Leigh.

If there is one thing can you truly appreciate about this film is how authentic Leigh and his crew would try to attain a high level of efficacy when it comes to performance, set-up, production and costume design and make-up. But also important was the casting of Allan Corduner and Jim Broadbent, the two men who brought out the characteristics of Sir Arthur Sullivan and W.S. Gilbert.

It's one thing to watch an opera and be entertained by the performances and the music but for me, part of the intrigue in learning about the two men are learning about their intricacies and also how unfriendly the two were towards each other. The duo are known for producing enjoyable work that has quite literally made a lot of money for them but who would have known how Sullivan was with women. How pompous of a man he was and who would have known how conflicted, petulant and driven Gilbert was. The fact is not many of us know the men behind the music, this is where Mike Leigh comes in with "Topsy-Turvy", a film based on the famous Gilbert & Sullivan who went on to create the beloved "The Mikado" comic opera back in 1885.

So, popular that it was the second longest run for any work of a musical theatre and one of the longest runs of any theatre pieces of that time. At least 150 companies were producing the opera and would continue to show the world that these two men still had it within them to work together and create financial operatic hits. But "The Mikado" was the duo's most influential and most accomplished work.

Mike Leigh is able to hire talent that work as a perfect ensemble as these talent portray the actors that are featured on-stage ala "The Mikado" and also what transpires during their rehearsals. What Leigh is able to capture is the actual creation of an opera. From rehearsals to costume design, to capturing Japanese authenticity, the research that Leigh had to do in order to make this film look right and sound right is magnificent. I don't think one will ever see a rehearsal captured on film as effective as "Topsy-Turvy" and at the same time, one may wonder if a film like this can ever be made by a major film studio.

"Topsy-Turvy" is a wonderful Blu-ray release from The Criterion Collection and anyone who is passionate or intrigued by the work of Gilbert and Sullivan, especially curious about the individuals, this Blu-ray release is quite fantastic in presentation, special features and a film that looks and sounds fantastic in HD.

Overall, some may feel the film's duration may be too long for their taste at 170-minutes, but personally, this is one of those films were time goes quickly because it's so enjoyable to watch. It's an accessible Mike Leigh film created with passion and it's look, feel and music succeeds in every level. It's a film about man's pursuit of success but also one's shortcomings and I emphasize that one must not need to be an erudite in opera or the works of Gilbert & Sullivan to enjoy this film. It may not be for everyone but it's a delightful film that is quite easy for me to recommend.

If you are a cineaste looking for a Blu-ray or DVD release that has soul, that has passion and captures the vibrancy and doldrums of two fascinating music icons, "Topsy-Turvy" is a must-buy release on day one. Highly recommended!