Best Picture - Nominated
Best Director, Peter Yates - Nominated
Best Director, Peter Yates - Nominated
Best Actor, Tom Courtenay - Nominated
Best Actor, Albert Finney - Nominated
Best Actor, Albert Finney - Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay, Ronald Harwood - Nominated
In the years between 1943 and 2009, when the Academy had but five nominees for Best Picture, there was often a last-minute qualifying release that took nominations in the top slots - The Reader, Million Dollar Baby, The Thin Red Line. In 1983, that latecomer was an intimate British backstage dramedy, The Dresser.Based on a hit play by Ronald Harwood, the film is centered on the relationship between an aging Shakespearean actor known only as Sir (Albert Finney) and his devoted dresser (Tom Courtenay) as they prepare for a performance during World War II. Their ensemble of actors is ancient, sirens sound throughout performances, and the theaters and towns they visit are not quite as bustling as they might have been in peace time. Naturally, this setting is also symbolic of the state of theatre, as the traditionally bombastic style of Sir and his quaint troupe will soon be on the way out - keep in mind, it was 1936 when Orson Welles produced his all-black Haiti-set production of Macbeth; the action of The Dresser takes place in 1942.
Playwright Ronald Harwood based the characters on his life, for he was a personal dresser to Sir Donald Wolfit, he of Room at the Top and Lawrence of Arabia fame. Courtenay originated the role of Norman in the West End, and was Tony-nominated for the Broadway production. YouTube this title and you'll see trailers for a number of local productions. And, most recently, BBC and Starz partnered for a telefilm with Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins in the lead roles. So a remake is not entirely out of the question.
But who would play the roles? Let's imagine....
IRENE
An ingenue who worships Sir.
Originally played by:
My Choice:
Lily James (Cinderella, Pride & Prejudice & Zombies)
There's a certain cross-section of cat and dove in this role, something James has only really indulged in for the Jane Austen zombie flick. But she did it so well!
OXENBY
An actor who isn't as enamored of Sir as the others are - he's good, and he knows it.
Originally played by: BAFTA Award Winner for Best Supporting Actor (A Bridge Too Far, The Go-Between)
Edward Fox (The Day of the Jackal, Gandhi)
My Choice: Hollmann Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actor (Pride), SAG Award Winner for Best Ensemble (Chicago)
Dominic West (28 Days, Money Monster)
Always great for playing entitled jerks...as well as playing jerks who may have a point.
HER LADYSHIP
Sir's leading lady on-stage and in life - his wife.
Originally played by:
Zena Walker (The Marked One, Cromwell)
My Choice: Hollmann Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actress (Easy Virtue), Academy Award Nominee for Best Actress (The English Patient), BAFTA Award Winner for Best Supporting Actress (Four Weddings and a Funeral), Golden Globe Nominee for Best Actress (The English Patient, I've Loved You So Long), SAG Award Winner for Best Ensemble (Gosford Park)
Kristin Scott Thomas (Only God Forgives, My Old Lady)
MADGE
The harried stage manager, just as vital as Norman, equally devoted, less patient.
Originally played by: BAFTA Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actress (The Dresser), SAG Award Winner for Best Ensemble (Gosford Park)
Eileen Atkins (The Hours, Magic in the Moonlight)
My Choice:
Monica Dolan (Pride, Eye in the Sky)
I've loved her since her episode of Poirot ("After the Funeral"), and Pride reminded me that I want to see her in more. A fine character actress, and given what Atkins did with this part, why shouldn't Dolan also impress?
SIR
A respected Shakespearean actor and leader of a troupe of actors, keeping England entertained at home during The War. Also losing his maaaaaaar-bllllllllles.
Originally played by: Academy Award Nominee for Best Actor (Tom Jones, Murder on the Orient Express, The Dresser, Under the Volcano) and Best Supporting Actor (Erin Brockovich), BAFTA Award Nominee for Best Actor/British Actor (Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Tom Jones, Gumshoe, Murder on the Orient Express, Shoot the Moon, The Dresser) and Best Supporting Actor (Erin Brockovich, Big Fish), Golden Globe Winner for Best Actor (Scrooge), SAG Award Winner for Best Supporting Actor (Erin Brockovich) and Best Ensemble (Traffic)
Albert Finney (Two for the Road, Skyfall)
My Choice:
Patrick Stewart (X-Men, Green Room)
The right kind of stentorian authority, though it would be a little out-of-character for him to play someone losing his dignity. And that would be fascinating to watch.
NORMAN
The dresser.
Originally played by: Academy Award Nominee for Best Actor (The Dresser) and Best Supporting Actor (Doctor Zhivago), BAFTA Award Nominee for Best Actor/British Actor (King & Country, Billy Liar, The Dresser), Golden Globe Winner for Best Actor (The Dresser)
Tom Courtenay (King Rat, 45 Years)
My Choice: Academy Award/BAFTA Award Winner/Golden Globe/SAG Award for Best Supporting Actor (Bridge of Spies)
Mark Rylance (Anonymous, The BFG)
I like his low-key presence, a calming balm, though I've witnessed his more energetic comic spark in a traditional all-male production of Twelfth Night.
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