| Reviews & Columns |
|
Reviews DVD TV on DVD Blu-ray 4K UHD International DVDs In Theaters Reviews by Studio Video Games Features Collector Series DVDs Easter Egg Database Interviews DVD Talk Radio Feature Articles Columns Anime Talk DVD Savant Horror DVDs The M.O.D. Squad Art House HD Talk Silent DVD
|
 DVD Talk Forum |
|
|
| Resources |
|
DVD Price Search Customer Service #'s RCE Info Links |
|
Columns
  
 
|
|
|
Topsy Turvy
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
Certainly different from his previous works like "Secrets and Lies", director Mike Leigh chose to focus on Gilbert and Sullivan for his latest film, "Topsy Turvy", a bright, lively undertaking that gets away from the intimate character dramas he has directed in the past, but still shows a remarkable talent at work.
The film starts with the duo's "Princess Aida" recieving rather fair notice with audiences and becoming a dissapointment. Although the pair are greatly displeased at the jeers, they come up with a bold new idea for a play when Gilbert learns about Japanese culture at a local exhibition. Soon, they are preparing for their play, "the Mikado", which turns out to be one of their biggest successes.
Watching it, I was reminded of "Shakespeare In Love" in the way that it takes audiences backstage in the process of putting on a play, but the nice thing about "Topsy Turvy" is the constant back-and-forth conversations between Gilbert(Jim Broadbent) and Arthur Sullivan(Allan Corduner), chatting energetically about their own opinions and strategies towards the artistic process.
What this film does wrong that "Shakespeare In Love" didn't is that it goes a little too long in spots. The film's end where the play actually is put on is wonderful, but getting there is a bit of a long trip. Still, I found most of the film engaging, and even when the film did get slow, it never became boring. The film also succeeds in being both funny and touching, and Leigh has brought a cast of very engaging characters to life. The only thing this film really could use is a little editing here and there; other than that, it's really an excellent movie.
The DVD
VIDEO: USA Home Entertainment has only released a couple of DVDs, but their efforts each time out, with films like "The Muse" and "Plunkett and Macleane" have been first-rate in terms of video quality; "Topsy Turvy" is definitely no different - this is a very strong anamorphic transfer that will please fans of the film greatly. Although there are a few sequences that look a slight bit soft, the majority of the film is adequately sharp and clarity is good. Colors are definitely the high point of the image - during many of the basic scenes colors are warm and pleasing, but during the play, things really turn beautiful. The costumes are bright and vibrant, showing off rich, bold colors that are very pleasing. Flesh tones are natural and accurate, as well.
Flaws are minimal and not distracting from what it otherwise a rich, pleasing image that does justice to the fine cinematography of Dick Pope(who has done the cinematography for many of director Leigh's films). Just a little bit of shimmering now and then appears, but other than that, this is a clear, impressive image that is consistently pleasing. The print used is clean, and free of any marks or scratches. Another fine effort from USA films.
SOUND: I highly doubt that anyone was expecting an agressive audio show from "Topsy Turvy", but it still does deliver a pleasing performance in terms of sound. The majority of the film is dialogue driven, but when the score makes an appearance, the sound is clear and natural. Sounds of the audience during the show also comes through clearly and fills the room well. Dialogue, easily the major element in a film like this, sounds well integrated and easily understood.
MENUS:: Whoever is doing the menus for the DVDs released by USA has got the right idea. Their menus for "The Muse"(where an animated character introduces new menus) was a wonderful way to start the film, and their work for "Topsy Turvy" is no different, with a clip from the movie playing and the score (and some songs from the film) in the background of the main & sub-menus. When the viewer makes a selection, animated fans close in, and the next menu opens.
EXTRAS:
Trailers and TV Spots:: The theatrical trailer is offered, as is 5 TV Spots. The TV Spots have their own menu, and can be selected one by one.
About Gilbert and Sullivan: Several pages worth of text notes about the duo for those who would like to learn more about their history.
Featurette: A very enjoyable featurette that takes us behind-the-scenes of not only the film, but the history behind the story. Interviews are provided with many of the actors, and also, director Mike Leigh, who gives his perspective on how he wanted to tell the tale of these two characters. The actors share a lot of interesting information about the demands that they had to go through to create their characters, and the way that director Leigh works. This documentary runs about 9 minutes and 30 seconds.
Also: Cast and crew bios and a photo gallery.
Final Thoughts: Leigh's film does go on longer than it probably should have at 160 minutes, but I really never found it painfully dull, just a little slow. Still, it's a pleasant movie that has great characters and entertaining, smart dialogue. The picture and sound quality from the USA films DVD is very strong, and makes for a very pleasant viewing experience that brings out the details of the great costumes. It's maybe not a picture that everyone will enjoy, but I do that viewers should at least give it a try as a rental.
Certainly different from his previous works like "Secrets and Lies", director Mike Leigh chose to focus on Gilbert and Sullivan for his latest film, "Topsy Turvy", a bright, lively undertaking that gets away from the intimate character dramas he has directed in the past, but still shows a remarkable talent at work.
The film starts with the duo's "Princess Aida" recieving rather fair notice with audiences and becoming a dissapointment. Although the pair are greatly displeased at the jeers, they come up with a bold new idea for a play when Gilbert learns about Japanese culture at a local exhibition. Soon, they are preparing for their play, "the Mikado", which turns out to be one of their biggest successes.
Watching it, I was reminded of "Shakespeare In Love" in the way that it takes audiences backstage in the process of putting on a play, but the nice thing about "Topsy Turvy" is the constant back-and-forth conversations between Gilbert(Jim Broadbent) and Arthur Sullivan(Allan Corduner), chatting energetically about their own opinions and strategies towards the artistic process.
What this film does wrong that "Shakespeare In Love" didn't is that it goes a little too long in spots. The film's end where the play actually is put on is wonderful, but getting there is a bit of a long trip. Still, I found most of the film engaging, and even when the film did get slow, it never became boring. The film also succeeds in being both funny and touching, and Leigh has brought a cast of very engaging characters to life. The only thing this film really could use is a little editing here and there; other than that, it's really an excellent movie.
The DVD
VIDEO: USA Home Entertainment has only released a couple of DVDs, but their efforts each time out, with films like "The Muse" and "Plunkett and Macleane" have been first-rate in terms of video quality; "Topsy Turvy" is definitely no different - this is a very strong anamorphic transfer that will please fans of the film greatly. Although there are a few sequences that look a slight bit soft, the majority of the film is adequately sharp and clarity is good. Colors are definitely the high point of the image - during many of the basic scenes colors are warm and pleasing, but during the play, things really turn beautiful. The costumes are bright and vibrant, showing off rich, bold colors that are very pleasing. Flesh tones are natural and accurate, as well.
Flaws are minimal and not distracting from what it otherwise a rich, pleasing image that does justice to the fine cinematography of Dick Pope(who has done the cinematography for many of director Leigh's films). Just a little bit of shimmering now and then appears, but other than that, this is a clear, impressive image that is consistently pleasing. The print used is clean, and free of any marks or scratches. Another fine effort from USA films.
SOUND: I highly doubt that anyone was expecting an agressive audio show from "Topsy Turvy", but it still does deliver a pleasing performance in terms of sound. The majority of the film is dialogue driven, but when the score makes an appearance, the sound is clear and natural. Sounds of the audience during the show also comes through clearly and fills the room well. Dialogue, easily the major element in a film like this, sounds well integrated and easily understood.
MENUS:: Whoever is doing the menus for the DVDs released by USA has got the right idea. Their menus for "The Muse"(where an animated character introduces new menus) was a wonderful way to start the film, and their work for "Topsy Turvy" is no different, with a clip from the movie playing and the score (and some songs from the film) in the background of the main & sub-menus. When the viewer makes a selection, animated fans close in, and the next menu opens.
EXTRAS:
Trailers and TV Spots:: The theatrical trailer is offered, as is 5 TV Spots. The TV Spots have their own menu, and can be selected one by one.
About Gilbert and Sullivan: Several pages worth of text notes about the duo for those who would like to learn more about their history.
Featurette: A very enjoyable featurette that takes us behind-the-scenes of not only the film, but the history behind the story. Interviews are provided with many of the actors, and also, director Mike Leigh, who gives his perspective on how he wanted to tell the tale of these two characters. The actors share a lot of interesting information about the demands that they had to go through to create their characters, and the way that director Leigh works. This documentary runs about 9 minutes and 30 seconds.
Also: Cast and crew bios and a photo gallery.
Final Thoughts: Leigh's film does go on longer than it probably should have at 160 minutes, but I really never found it painfully dull, just a little slow. Still, it's a pleasant movie that has great characters and entertaining, smart dialogue. The picture and sound quality from the USA films DVD is very strong, and makes for a very pleasant viewing experience that brings out the details of the great costumes. It's maybe not a picture that everyone will enjoy, but I do that viewers should at least give it a try as a rental.
|
| Popular Reviews |
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Release List | Reviews | Shop | Newsletter | Forum | DVD Giveaways | Blu-Ray | Advertise |
|
Copyright 2024 DVDTalk.com All Rights Reserved. Legal Info, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use,
Manage Preferences,
Your Privacy Choices 
| |||||||