Dean Spanley (2008)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Toa Fraser

Writers:

Lord Dunsany (book)
Alan Sharp (writer)

Release Date:

12 December 2008 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Set in Edwardian England where upper lips are always stiff and men from the Colonies are not entirely to be trusted, Fisk Senior has little time or affection for his son, but when the pair visit an eccentric Indian, they start a strange journey that eventually allows the old man to find his heart. |

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Jeremy Northam	...	Narrator - Fisk Junior
Sam Neill	...	Dean Spanley
Bryan Brown	...	Wrather
Peter O'Toole	...	Fisk Senior
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Elizabeth Goram-Smith	...	A young lady of stature
Charlotte Graham	...	Woman in Cloisters
Bruce Hopkins	...	Farmer
Art Malik	...	Swami Nala Prash
Judy Parfitt	...	Mrs Brimley
Eva Sayer	...	Girl
Dudley Sutton	...	Marriot
Ramon Tikaram	...	Nawab of Ranjiput

Also Known As:

My Talks with Dean Spanley (UK)

Runtime:

Canada:100 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

New Zealand | UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

Australia:G | Ireland:G

Filming Locations:

New Zealand

Company:

Atlantic Film Productions

Sheer magic by Jeremy Northam, Peter O'Toole and Sam Neill

Peter O'Toole here gives a performance that shows the breadth and depth of his abilities fully and makes an unforgettable impression. It would be strange if O'Toole would not get a number of awards for this. But the lead role in this film belongs to Jeremy Northam, who plays Henslowe Fisk, plagued son of the O'Toole character. Northam carries a lot of this film and with his enormous talent and subtle as well as multi-layered acting deepens every moment of humour as well as emotion. Northam again dazzles with his talent and the truthfulness and intensity of his performance, and in this case shows how magical film can be if some of the best actors play as a real ensemble and support each other's acting. One can only wish for more lead roles for this extraordinary actor. And Sam Neill in his indeed slightly uncommon role as Dean Spanley shows that he can do more than we have ever seen from him. Some of his scenes are extremely difficult to execute in a way that is intense without slipping into silliness, but Neill does it immaculately.

The screenplay by Alan Sharp is extremely intelligent and witty, with some of the best funny lines I have ever heard in a film. He has, if I may say so, improved the story by Lord Dunsany very much. The director did very elegant, unobtrusive and subtle, most convincing work in every regard. And the music should also be mentioned, as it perfectly reflected the tone and style of this film. The overall experience of this film is sheer pleasure, of the deep sort with maybe a tear in one's eye, and then a warm glow of delight and remembrance.

Actually, this is not a film about dogs, but about human beings. It is not an eccentric movie based on a strange premise, but a truthful one that reflects some of the deepest issues of our lives. It is not only very intelligent and funny and deeply moving, but among films definitely a work of art.