Synopsis
Humble Maria, who outfits top London theater star Ned Kynaston, takes none of the credit for the male actor's success at playing women. And because this is the 17th century, Maria, like other females, is prohibited from pursuing her dream of acting. But when powerful people support her, King Charles II lifts the ban on female stage performers. And just as Maria aided Ned, she needs his help to learn her new profession.
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Cast
- Claire DanesMaria
- Billy CrudupNed Kynaston
- Derek HutchinsonStage Manager
- Mark LetherenMale Emelia/Dickie
- Tom WilkinsonBetterton
- Ben ChaplinGeorge Villiars, Duke of Buckingham
- Hugh BonnevilleSamuel Pepys
- Fenella WoolgarLady Meresvale
- Richard GriffithsSir Charles Sedley
- Clare HigginsMistress Revels
Recommendations
- 90
The Hollywood Reporter
Those who thought "Shakespeare In Love" was as good as it gets in intelligent costume romantic comedy will find that director Richard Eyre and writer Jeffrey Hatcher have taken the form to a higher level. - 80
Variety
This skillfully acted, handsomely crafted frock piece toys cleverly with gender confusion and sexual identity. - 80
Empire
A film that, despite being about theatre itself, is remarkably cinematic and entirely unafraid to revel in the English language. - 75
Rolling Stone
Expertly directed by Richard Eyre (Iris) from Jeffrey Hatcher's play, the film is bawdy fun. - 70
Newsweek
It's a marvelous premise, and Crudup's serpentine performance has a venomous grace. But Jeffrey Hatcher's screenplay too often sacrifices psychological insight for bogus theatricality. - 70
New York Magazine (Vulture)
Crudup, whose features have the appropriate delicacy, plays Ned with complete conviction; it’s difficult to imagine anyone else succeeding as well. - 63
ReelViews
For every thing that Stage Beauty does right, it fumbles at least one other element, resulting in a movie-going experience that is of the glass half-full/half-empty variety. - 58
Entertainment Weekly
A celebration of the theater that tends to drag the moment it's out of drag.
