The Dresser (Peter Yates, 1983) wr. Ronald Harwood from his own play; Albert Finney, Tom Courtenay, Edward Fox, Zena Walker, Eileen Atkins
blurb:
Personal assistant Norman struggles to get deteriorating veteran actor Sir through a difficult performance of King Lear.
Tom Courtenay (as the dresser, Norman) had played this on stage, and he is still acting for that context, rather than for the cinema: he is a (camp) loose cannon. Albert Finney (as Sir [Donald Wolfit]) is the opposite, much the same throughout, without development, and without his character having an awareness of his mental condition.
See also: The Dresser (2015). Edward Fox is in both films.
Garry Gillard | New: 12 May, 2021 | Now: 19 June, 2021