Lively period drama set in 17th century London, based on the play by Jeffrey Hatcher and directed by Richard Eyre. Billy Crudup stars as Ned Kynaston, the brightest star in Restoration theatre. Since women are forbidden to appear on stage, the beautiful, brazen Ned is able to shine in all the great female roles, while his loyal dresser, Maria (Claire Danes) looks upon his success with admiration - and just a touch of envy. But when Charles II (Rupert Everett) changes the law to ban cross-dressing male actors and allow females onto the stage, Ned's once-glittering career goes into freefall, giving Maria the chance she has always dreamed of to step into the limelight...
Joe Scott (Daniel Craig) has it all, an ageing Hollywood star yes, but one able to live a hedonistic lifestyle with no care for anyone but himself. However, when his childhood best friend, Boots (Max Deacon), passes away, Joe must confront his past, and the demons that lurk therein.
This agreeably murky tale of court intrigue, corruption and sexual manipulation is a rare excursion for Ealing into historical drama. Peter Bull and Joan Greenwood are perfectly cast as the dissolute Prince George-Louis and his reluctant bride Sophie Dorothea. Shooting in colour for the first tim...
