Bright Young Things

Name: Bright Young Things
Genre: Drama, Comedy, War
Released: August 20, 2004
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Dan Aykroyd, Emily Mortimer, Stephen Campbell Moore

2004

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 8 Ratings

See All

5.5

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

5.5	Your Score
5.5	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 8 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Bright Young Things

Now Playing: Bright Young Things

Movie Details & Credits

THINKFilm | Release Date: August 20, 2004 | R

Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Emily Mortimer, Stephen Campbell Moore

Summary: Based on the classic novel "Vile Bodies" by Evelyn Waugh, this satirical comedy and love story is set in 1930's London.

Director: Stephen Fry

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, War

Rating: R

Runtime: 106 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Dallas Observer Gregory Weinkauf

Fry establishes himself as an inspired, world-class talent behind the camera and delivers my favorite film of the year thus far. Read full review

Dana Stevens

Waugh's dialogue, effortlessly catching the lockjaw intonations and facetious mannerisms of the British aristocracy between the world wars, is a gift to screenwriters and performers alike. The actors Mr. Fry has assembled receive the gift with gusto and grace. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Both script and direction are the work of the glittering comedic polymath Stephen Fry. Read full review

Stanley Kauffmann

The performance that comes closest to capturing the Waugh elixir is Fenella Woolgar's as madcapping Miss Runcible, who ultimately commandeers a racing car. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Fry's saving grace is his love of actors. The younger and less familiar performers are more than adequate, but it's the older guard that shines. Broadbent is marvelously rummy. Read full review

Derek Elley

An easy-to-digest slice of literate entertainment for upscale and older audiences that lacks a significant emotional undertow to make it a truly involving -- rather than simply voyeuristic -- experience. Read full review

Stephen Hunter

The movie, alas, is shackled somewhat by Waugh's original, pedestrian plot, which is too full of discrete incidents and slow to form an overarching story. Read full review

SEE ALL 32 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

DawdlingPoet

Nov 26, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is worth seeing for the decent cast alone - David Tennant in period drama get up, makeup and everything, is worth seeing alone I suppose (also Michael Sheen is in it as well - the same applies. Other cast members include James MacAvoy, Emily Mortimer and Jim Carter). Its not exactly an especially tense and suspenseful film but there are some fairly amusing moments and its a pretty easy watch, so its good from that point of view. I can't say I felt especially sorry for the characters who were, of course, high society types (have's, rather than have not's) but I can't say it wasn't entertaining. Some of the dialogue is amusing and I liked that Dan Akroyd is in it, as well as various Brits. This is a fairly good film which is worth a watch if you just want a bit of an easy watch, if you like recognising actors in period 'get up' and the like. The jazz music (of its time) is jolly and perhaps uplifting in a way as well too. I suppose I would recommend this overall, yes.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 1 REVIEWS