Topsy-Turvy

Name: Topsy-Turvy
Genre: Biography, Drama, Comedy, Music
Released: December 17, 1999
Duration: 160 min
Rating: 90
Cast: Allan Corduner, Jim Broadbent

1999

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 31 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Ratings

See All

8.0

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.0	Your Score
8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 27 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.

Topsy-Turvy

Now Playing: Topsy-Turvy

Movie Details & Credits

October Films | Release Date: December 17, 1999 | R

Starring: Allan Corduner, Jim Broadbent

Summary: When their latest play fails and they threaten to disband, Gilbert and Sullivan are inspired to create their masterpiece, "The Mikado."

Director: Mike Leigh

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Comedy, Music

Rating: R

Runtime: 160 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Steven Rea

A triumph. Read full review

100

Dallas Observer Gregory Weinkauf

A masterful film about the magic of performance and the foibles of the artists behind it. Read full review

100

Roger Ebert

It is one of the year's best films. Read full review

Janet Maslin

One of those films that create a mix of erudition, pageantry and delectable acting opportunities, much as "Shakespeare in Love." Read full review

J. Hoberman

Not only Mike Leigh's strongest film since "Naked" but a true show-making epic. Read full review

Jack Mathews

A hive of broad, brilliant performances. Read full review

TNT RoughCut Don Kaye

But there's so much more of the very, very British Topsy-Turvy that just seems so stuffy and inert.

SEE ALL 31 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

CherylC.

Jan 21, 2006

What an extraordinary evocation of an era, the theater and the creative process generally. A thoroughly enjoyable, wonderfully well done production!

0 of 1 users found this helpful

EpicLadySponge

Apr 30, 2016

Topsy-Turvy is one of those films I would rather watch again and again until the day's over. Luckily, there's even things that forces me to watch it again and again.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Jan 13, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a costume drama film depicting a curious true story. It features plenty of witty dialogue and some comedy - gentle comedy, I'd say. It also features plenty of pomp and fanfare. One quote I liked was 'the more I see of men, the more I like dogs!'.

There's an element of operatic diva-ishness present, about both Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Sullivan.

The fact Japense people were accused of not being (or not appearing in posture) Japanese was clearly laughable! It's (thankfully) tactfully pointed out that they are in fact Japanese people, to which Gilbert replies "well, yes, of course, that's why their here!"(!).

There's a certain quaintness about this film I enjoyed. It shows up English stereotypes and the upper classes of its time, I suppose. Timothy Spall is quite funny in his role, as Richard Temple and also present is Jim Broadbent and Simon Callow, among others (Lesley Manville etc.).

The musical numbers and costumes are fun and I liked that there's more information provided by text just before the credits.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend this film, yes.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

alejandro970

Jun 29, 2019

Showdown of performances in real-life drama about the fathers of musical Opera. Remarkable evocation of era and how was adapted the Mikado.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 4 REVIEWS