Film "Stage Beauty" (2004) Australian Blu-ray Edition Cover
Stage Beauty (2004) is based on a true story that follows the real life of 17th-century actor Edward Ned Kinnaston (Billy Crudup).
Images of Billy Crudup and Claire Denise in the film The Stage Beauty (2004).
At the beginning of the film, director Richard El Richard Eyre and screenwriter Jeffrey Hatcher put the film into a dark and low atmosphere to avoid confusion with films depicting the prosperous and joyful ancient England.
Stills from the film The Stage Beauty (2004), with Billy Crudup (left) and Claire Denise
Batton (Mark Letheren), an actor and theatre manager, the bisexual Duke of Buckingham (played by Ben Chaplin), the ambitious Nell (played by Zoë Tapper), the wealthy and Sir Sidley (played by Richard Griffiths), and the curious writer (played by Hugh Bonaville Hugh Bonneville) And the restless politician (Edward Fox), each character represents a group of people in society, and each actor is brilliant, although the characters also have different flaws in personality.
Set of the film "Stage Beauty" (2004), directed by Chad Al (left) and Claire Denise
The film takes place in 1660, when the female characters on stage were all played by male actors, edward Ned Kinnaston was a famous British actor who specialized in female characters. He used his beauty and acting skills to create one successful character after another.
Stills from the movie "Stage Beauty" (2004), Billy Crudup
But when King Charles II (Rupert Everett) got tired of the same stereotypical performance, the rulers of the upper classes began to allow real female actors to perform on stage, while men no longer had to play female roles in reverse.
Stills from the movie "Stage Beauty" (2004), Rupert Everett
Leaving the show, Edward became a man of nothingness at heart, sleepless all night and even thought of ending his life with suicide, until the appearance of his makeup artist, maria (played by Claire Danes), who later became a famous actor, helped him regain the confidence of a man.
Images of Claire Denise and Rupert Everett in the film The Stage Beauty (2004).
Before the appearance of an actress, Edward was the focal point of dance throughout London. At that time, the most enthusiastic wish of the male actors was that one day they could become a real "stage beauty".
Edward, who has attracted much attention, is undoubtedly the "beauty". Fascinated by both female and male characters, he has a star style.
Image of Billy Crudup in the film The Stage Beauty (2004).
Appearance is one of the reasons, the meticulous speculation and interpretation of the role is also another reason to help him become the brightest star, and the "Othello" he starred in is a masterpiece of continuous screening, and the scene of Desdemona's death is tear-inducing by him.
However, with the progress of the times and the enlightenment of ideas, people are gradually tired of male actors with hoarse voices playing beautiful women.
Image of Rupert Everett in the film The Stage Beauty (2004).
Life was chaotic for Edward, for men like the Duke of Buckingham pursued him as a woman, forgiving him for not being a woman, while a woman of a well-behaved nature was happy to hunt for treasure in him.
Maria, who has always had a crush on Edward, is also quite eager to act, and once she dressed up as Desdemona, secretly performed "Othello" in a night tavern, and after people discovered her true gender, they did not have much accusation but tacitly accepted.
Mary's actions also attracted the attention of the Supreme Ruler Charles II, who eventually overthrew not only the ban on actresses, but also the prohibition on men from playing female roles. This is great news for Mary.
Edward's acting career was ruined overnight, with a group of fledgling and inexperienced actresses performing on stage the characters he had invested his body and soul in.
A distressed Edward searches for an exit until he discovers Mary beside him, a woman who turns out to be his salvation and hope. In the end, they finally showed their hidden feelings, and Edward finally found himself.
Billy Crudup plays the straightforward Edward in the film. His performances were recognized by a wide range of fans, as loved his role as Russell Hammond in Nearly Famous Alto (2000). He presented the image of Desdemona with elegance.
Billy Crudup's image in the film Near Fame (2000).
Billy Crudup's interpretation of the female characters in the film is the best moment in his acting experience.
Especially under the pressure of real actresses who are allowed to perform officially on stage, his inner changes are portrayed vividly.
He's definitely an actor who excels at acting nuancedly, and he and Rupert Everett, who plays the king with a pompous temperament in the film, are called the two highlights of the film, with one comment saying, "Rupert Everett's performance looks like he's playing a modern Prince Charles." ”
Stills from the film The Stage Beauty (2004), Billy Crudep (right) and Ben Chaplin
As the closest woman to Edward, Maria, played by Claire Denise, has always paid attention to every step of this beautiful boy's growth.
But she couldn't eliminate the weakness in the man's heart. Imagine a man who has to dress up as a woman for most of his adult life, and suddenly asks him to regain the strength and courage that a man deserves, which is indeed a difficult task.
Stills from the film "Stage Beauty" (2004), Rupert Everett (left) and Zoe Tapper
How does Maria win Edward's love while succeeding in her acting career? This is actually another theme that the film wants to show us.
But at the same time, it is also the biggest failure, that is, to let a person of the same sex at heart embrace a woman into a new life with open hands.
This kind of lifestyle, which is extremely difficult in modern life, is it difficult to "raise an eyebrow" in the old era?
Stills from the film "Stage Beauty" (2004), Billy Crudup (right) and Claire Denise
But we'll still be caught up in the intricate relationships between the characters in Stage Beauty and the witty dialogues.
After the gender is distorted and changed by the performance, that spontaneous wonderful performance reaches its climax in the three-person play of Edward, Charles II and Temper. The film's ending mixes the mix of old and new eras, creating a delightful atmosphere.
Stills from the movie "Stage Beauty" (2004), Claire Denise
Mary, played by Claire Denise in Stage Beauty, is as fresh as running water, showing clarity and directness to become her strength; her characters often know who they are and why.
It contrasts her to the character played by Billy Crudup, who oscillates between work and gender.
Billy Crudup and ex-wife Mary Louis Pike at the premiere
Billy Crudup and Claire Denise were blown up by the media while filming Stage Beauty: "Billy Crudep left his pregnant wife Mary-Louise Parke and came together with claire Claire Denise, a partner she worked with many years ago. ”
Billy Crudup (right) and Claire Denise came together for filming the film "Stage Beauty" (2004), but eventually broke up
Billy Crudup is best known for his performances in Near Fame and Big Fish (2003). He walked through 7 years with Mary Louis Pike, and in the final stages of Mary Louis Pike's stage career, they had their first child.
Billy Crudup was definitely a big guy when he was younger
But 24-year-old Claire Denise has more opportunities to get up close and personal with Billy Crudup because of the film "Stage Beauty". Although Claire Denise has been engaged to Australian rock star Ben Lee for many years, and people consider their relationship to be the most unbreakable.
Group photo of Claire Denise and her husband Hugh Dancy at the event
An American report at the time said: "Claire Denise left Ben Lee, she and Billy Crudup expressed their love for each other, and everyone was amazed at what Billy Crudep had done to his ex-wife."
Today, Billy Crudup is still single, while Claire Denise married British actor Hugh Dancy in France in 2009.
Poster of the Korean version of the movie "Stage Beauty" (2004).
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