potterclayhg I just finished watching the Dresser and I found it to be very theatrical. I was very pleased with all the acting and the emotions all through the film. The story it self is very heart feeling. The actors were so believable to their place. I also enjoy the music that came with the acting. There were some very small funny parts that had me truly laughing. It brought me into a world of ones passion for the art of play. The colorful film by all means had me focus on the story. Great film and act.

Armand one of great roles of Tom Courtenay. and a splendid performance of Albert Finney. a film about Shakespeare, theater, sacrifice, need of the other and circle of life. touching. and powerful. a play who, in this adaptation, seems be a kind of parable. because not only the acting is brilliant but the atmosphere soul. a world. like an iceberg. and nuances of sacrifice as only reality. a good film. and little more. because it has the rare gift not only impress but reflect hided places of each life. the actor. and the dresser. and a subtle touching fight. against yourself and against the other. that is all. so, it is not a bad idea to see it ! not only as old movie. but as a rare gem about the things who are really important.

edwagreen Excellent picture about life backstage at the theater and an actor desperately trying to get through a performance of King Lear. Albert Finney as the failing actor and Tom Courtenay as his subordinate dresser, richly deserved Oscar nominations for best actor. A case could have been made to have put Courtenay in the supporting division, but that's old history.Finney lets loose with a terrific performance as a domineering, nasty performer who lets loose with just about everyone. Courtenay, with his effeminate ways, only gets his freedom when the ending occurs. You wonder if the two ever had a homosexual relationship going.There is a lot of comedy as well. The film takes place during World War 11 England and might have been better served to have been filmed in black and white, more suitable for the period. The performance is about to begin when the air-raid sirens are sounded and the bombs begin to fall. This suggests that these bombs might cancel the performance which seems to be leading to an even bigger bomb cast.Patriotism is shown by Finney at the end. The play must go on and its head must rise to the occasion.

cigardener This is a movie that deserves another look--if you haven't seen it for a while, or a first look--if you were too young when it came out (1983). Based on a play by the same name, it is the story of an older actor who heads a touring Shakespearean repertory company in England during World War II. It deals with his stress of trying to perform a Shakespeare each night while facing problems such as bombed theaters and a company made up of older or physically handicapped actors--the young, able bodied ones being taken for military service. It also deals with his relationship with various members of his company, especially with his dresser. So far it all sounds rather dull but nothing could be further from the truth. While tragic overall, the story is told with a lot of humor and emotions run high throughout. The two male leads both received Oscar nominations for best actor and deservedly so. I strongly recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys human drama, theater--especially Shakespeare, or who has ever worked backstage in any capacity. The backstage goings-on make up another facet of the movie that will be fascinating to most viewers.