sphinxyvic:jimdoesnotknow:Shirley Henderson in Topsy-Turvy (1999, directed by Mike Leigh)This film,
sphinxyvic:jimdoesnotknow:Shirley Henderson in Topsy-Turvy (1999, directed by Mike Leigh)This film, I cannot explain how much it means to me. The level of detail, the authenticity, not just of the sets and clothes, but the Victorian mind the way it worked (as far as we can know) is portrayed so subtly and truthfully. Plus of course the wonderful Mikado and the different way that the performers behave, that are recognizable though even today. Timothy Spall broke my heart as Mr. Temple, and to this day I get so excited if I catch Any of the performers in any of the riot TV that I watch. There are lines that stick with me, like “I am going out for Italian hokey-pokey, and I don’t care who knows it” (took me a while to realize he meant a kind of ice cream). But ultimately I am indebted to one scene in this film, concerning the costumes and the “horrifying” fact that they would not be wearing corsets on stage, but only lightly boned obi sashes. Jessie’s reaction to this, that she is worried for her reputation “dontcha know”, puzzled me, as I’d always assumed Victorian women would be happy to get a chance to shuck those uncomfortable tight corsets. This led me to the topic that I used for my senior thesis at uni, and to a lifelong interest in dress reform in the 19th c. So thank you, Mike Leigh! If I ever meet you in reality, I shall give you the biggest hug, just for making this amazing and beautiful paean to a genre and a time period I adore. -- source link
#this film#shirley henderson#topsy-turvy#queue