★★★½ Topsy-Turvy

[Gino: 3.5]

Gino says: 'Twelve years or so ago Mike Leigh directed this movie from his script about a rocky patch in the career collaboration of Gilbert and Sullivan. The movie really just drops you right in the middle of things, so much so that I had a hard time figuring out what was going on with some minor characters -- because it takes a while to get used to the extremely round-about (but delightful!) way in which 19th century Brits communicated. While a group of actors are rehearsing a song with Sullivan, he stops the music. Instead of just saying "That was supposed to be a triplet.", the script goes: Sullivan: That's very good, but I've gone to considerable pains to provide you with triplets... (Barrington: Triplets. And on his salary!) ... Consequently, if you would be so kind as to trip. Thank you. One, two, three, four...

Now, I happen to really like Gilbert and Sullivan, so am recommending this movie. If you don't (you're wrong and), you may be bored, so skip it. '