Wednesday 26 August 2015

Best of Rupert Everett

Best of Rupert Everett

Rupert James Hector Everett has become something of a national treasure in the last decade, with his wit, outspokenness and refusal to conform winning him legions of admirers. To celebrate the release of his latest (A Royal Night Out, out on Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand from 7th Sept 2015 and EST from 4th Sept 2015, courtesy of Lionsgate Home Entertainment), we look back on some of his best films to date.

A Royal Night Out (2015)
Inspired by true events, this heart-warming, wonderfully nostalgic romantic comedy tells the riotous tale of a beloved future monarch experiencing the energy and spirit of VE Day, 1945. Across Europe, people are celebrating the end of the war and London overflows with celebration. After pleading their case to their parents, two young girls are allowed to leave their house and join the party. Nothing particularly unusual about that... except, in this case, home is Buckingham Palace, and the two young girls are Princess Margaret (Bel Powley) and the future Queen of England, Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon). Everett and Emily Watson take the roles of the King and Queen, who reluctantly allow their daughters out to celebrate.

The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
One of Everett’s many roles in Oscar Wilde adaptations, this take on one of his funniest plays sees Everett star alongside Colin Firth and Dame Judi Dench, as well as an irrepressible Reese Witherspoon. Firth and Everett play two young gentlemen living in 1890's England, who both use the same pseudonym (Ernest) for their on-the-sly activities. Everything seems to be ticking along nicely, until they both fall for women using that name, leading to all manner of complications and mistaken identities...

St Trinians (2007)
Everett steals the show in this remake of the 60’s classic, which follows the exploits of the wayward students of St Trinian’s girl’s school, lead by their irrepressible headmistress Camilla Fritton (Everett). When the new Minister of Education (Colin Firth, hamming it up gloriously) announces he will personally revamp the school, he has no idea what’s in store. Meanwhile, the school is threatened with closure by their bank, and the girls (including Gemma Arterton and Tallulah Riley) realise it’s up to them to save the day.

An Ideal Husband (1999)
This adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic stars Everett alongside Jeremy Northam, Julianne Moore, Minnie Driver and Cate Blanchett. It tells the story of Sir Robert Chiltern (Northam) a successful and happily married Government minister. All this is threatened when Mrs Cheveley (Moore) appears in London with damning evidence of past misdemeanours. Sir Robert turns to his friend Lord Goring (Everett), a witty, idle philanderer who knows Mrs Cheveley, and takes it upon himself to solve the matter once and for all.

My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
Everett revived his career in spectacular form in this classic romantic comedy which also stars Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz and Dermot Mulroney. He plays George, the effortlessly sophisticated editor and friend of Julianne (Roberts), who offers a great deal of sage advice (which falls on deaf ears) when she decides she is in love with her best friend Michael (Mulroney). As Julianne attempts to sabotage Michael’s upcoming wedding to Kimmy (Diaz), she finds herself stooping to outrageous tactics... but is she really in love with him, or just the idea of him?

Dunston Checks In (1996)
This classic crime caper stars Everett alongside Jason Alexander, Faye Dunaway, and a very cute orang-utan. Alexander plays Robert, a beleaguered concierge of the luxury hotel owned by Mrs. Dubrow (Dunaway). She informs Robert that an undercover reviewer is visiting, and if he impresses he might get a promotion and some time off to take his sons on vacation. But when the notorious jewel-thief ‘Lord’ Rutledge (Everett) checks in with his trained orangutan, Dunston all manner of chaos ensues.

The Madness of King George (1994)
Nicholas Hytner directed this screenplay by Alan Bennett, which tells the sometimes funny, but mostly tragic tale of King George III, his descent into insanity, and the political and royal back stabbing which resulted from his incapacitation. The film offers a fascinating insight into medical practices in the late 18th century, as well as an insight into the life of royalty; Everett plays the Prince of Wales, alongside Nigel Hawthorne as the king, and Dame Helen Mirren as Queen Charlotte.

Shrek 2 (2004)
This sequel to the smash hit animation introduced Everett as the not-so charming Prince Charming, alongside the original voice cast including Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz. Jennifer Saunders also voices the brilliantly villainous Fairy Godmother. The sequel focuses on the exploits of Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey when they set off to Far, Far Away to meet Fiona's mother and father. Prince Charming returns from a failed attempt at rescuing Fiona, and works alongside his mother, the Fairy Godmother, to try and find a way to break up the happy couple.

A ROYAL NIGHT OUT arrives on Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand from 7th Sept 2015 and EST from 4th Sept 2015, courtesy of Lionsgate Home Entertainment