Watch The Dresser

Set in England during the Second World War, The Dresser is a gripping drama about two ageing men, and their lives in the theatre. It stars iconic actors, Anthony Hopkins and Ian McKellen, in the lead roles of the eponymous dresser and the ageing actor-manager, respectively. This movie is an adaptation of Ronald Harwood’s play of the same name.

The movie opens with a shot of a dark backstage corridor, where the crowd noise from a performance reverberates. The camera then introduces Norman (Anthony Hopkins), the personal dresser to Sir (Ian McKellen), a legendary actor-manager who is set to perform in Shakespeare's King Lear. It is soon revealed that Norman's unflagging devotion to his job is essential to Sir's physical and emotional well-being.

The Dresser evokes the world of backstage theatre and the tensions that arise within it. The film features a diverse cast of characters, including other actors, assistants, and stagehands. Each character has their unique quirks and personality traits, making them all feel like real people. The film portrays the dynamics between these characters beautifully and effectively.

The central relationship of The Dresser is between Norman and Sir. Anthony Hopkins and Ian McKellen brought their phenomenal acting prowess to the movie to make their characters come alive. Hopkins plays Norman with a vulnerability that is at odds with his evident strength and resilience. Sir, on the other hand, is an old-school actor-manager who expects attention and respect, and McKellen delivers that with effortless charm.

The Dresser is a movie that provides its audience with an intimate insight into the art of stagecraft. The film shows the intricacies of putting on a play, including costume fittings, rehearsals, and the technical necessities. The Dresser also raises questions about the place of theatre in a society at war.

One of the most intriguing aspects of The Dresser is its portrayal of Sir's descent into madness. Sir's mental deterioration as he struggles with the part of King Lear is conveyed with great poignancy. The audience follows him as he transforms, falls apart, and re-emerges as a new character. The Dresser successfully portrays the transformative power of theatre as he performs the role in a stunning finale.

The Dresser also has an excellent supporting cast. Emily Watson plays Her Ladyship, Sir's devoted wife, who is frustrated with her husband's stubbornness and the decline of his health. She delivers a fine performance as Her Ladyship, who cares for these people with unwavering kindness.

The movie also examines social class and oral tradition, two significant components of theatre. Sir is from a lower social class, and his life revolves around the theatre. His performance is an oral tradition passed from performer to performer. He plays the role of King Lear superbly, even if it is the last role he will ever do.

Sadness permeates the film, portraying the impact of the war on these characters' lives. The Dresser brings out heartbreaks as the characters persevere to put on a play in the midst of air raids and other real-life wartime concerns.

Overall, The Dresser is a movie that theatre-lovers cannot miss. Honouring both the process of theatre and its power of redemption on a character's life, it is a moving portrayal of art and the human spirit. With iconic performances from Hopkins and McKellen, director Richard Eyre creates a film that captures the period's darkest hour and celebrates the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

The Dresser is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.