Watch Stuart: A Life Backwards

Stuart: A Life Backwards is a British drama film from 2007, based on the book of the same name by Alexander Masters, directed by David Attwood, and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy, and Nicola Duffett. The film tells the story of Stuart Shorter (Tom Hardy), a homeless man who lived a troubled life filled with addiction, abuse, and crime. The story is told in reverse chronological order, starting from the end of Stuart's life and going back to his childhood, to show how he ended up where he was.

The film opens with Stuart's death and his funeral, attended by his friend Alexander Masters (Benedict Cumberbatch), who decides to write a book about his life. Alexander meets with Stuart's ex-girlfriend, Barbara (Nicola Duffett), who tells him about Stuart's struggles with addiction and mental illness, and his history of abuse and crime. Alexander is intrigued by Stuart's story and decides to meet with him to learn more.

As Alexander gets to know Stuart, he discovers a complex and intelligent man with a sharp wit and a troubled past. Stuart tells Alexander about his childhood, which was marked by neglect and abuse at the hands of his mother and stepfather. He ran away from home at the age of 15 and turned to a life of crime and drug addiction.

Despite his troubled past, Stuart had a charismatic personality and a talent for making people laugh. He formed close friendships with many people who lived on the streets with him, and he became a well-known figure in the homeless community. However, his addiction and mental health problems made it difficult for him to hold down a job or stay out of trouble.

As Alexander and Stuart's friendship deepens, they delve further into Stuart's past and discover some shocking revelations. They visit Stuart's mother, who reveals some disturbing secrets about his childhood, and they uncover evidence of Stuart's abuse at the hands of a former foster parent. Stuart's mental health deteriorates as he tries to come to terms with these revelations, and he becomes more and more isolated.

The film culminates in Stuart's tragic death, which is a heartbreaking reminder of the obstacles he faced and the many missed opportunities to help him. However, it also celebrates the resilience and strength that Stuart displayed throughout his life, and the importance of human connection and understanding.

Stuart: A Life Backwards is a moving and thought-provoking film that shines a light on the often-overlooked lives of the homeless and the mentally ill. The performances by Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Nicola Duffett are all exceptional, and the film is a testament to the power of storytelling in shedding light on difficult and important issues. Overall, it is a powerful and heartfelt exploration of the life of a deeply troubled man who had a profound impact on those around him.

Stuart: A Life Backwards is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.