I tried, but I couldn't make it all the way
through this film. Fifty-five minutes isn't a
respectable enough length of time to do a legitimate
review. Therefore, feel free to call this review
illegitimate.
Regrettably, I found this cold clammy presentation
nearly as frigid as the theater in which it was
screened. Five layers of clothing, and a scarf
couldn't protect me from either. While the
elaborately costumed characters were cursing the
oppressively hot weather in Europe, it seemed to me
that if I were to reach up and touch them, I'd find
the temperature of their pale cheeks similar to that
of bathroom tile.
Set in Paris and London, the story opens as an
"artistic-type" emotional Sullivan scored his last
composition for the trivial topsy-turvy stories of
the sternly British scrooge-like Gilbert. Sullivan
wants to write operas! Amidst this drama, long
excerpts from productions are included, but play
heavily, contributing nothing to the
behind-the-scenes story at hand. Admittedly, I am a
lover of the silver screen, not the stage.
Visa-versian's may beg to disagree with this review.
To them I say, "No need to beg ... I'm glad you enjoy
stage. In fact, this article may very well be
meaningless to those of you that adore Gilbert and
Sullivan productions."
I am a lover of music, mind you. A pianist myself,
still, the musical interludes and interjections fall
like concrete (in all fairness, the theater's sound
system was sorely outdated). Nothing inspires, nor
warms my cold heart, though several attempts are
made. In one bid at humor, two topless dancers
laughingly touch each other's toplessness; in another
attempt, one fellow in top hat and coat declares, "I
played golf this morning!" The lady gasps, "In this
heat?" The gentleman, "Yes, but not in this attire."
(A few people snicker in the audience. Could I be
missing something?)
The vulnerability displayed by a vain Gilbert when
the loss of Sullivan's musical partnership seems
imminent caught my attention. I do hope the writers
capitalize on this interesting character trait. Other
than that, the acting itself is fine, the costuming
grand, but the over all appeal ...well, not enough to
keep me in my seat.
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