A Handful Of Dust
BBB.5
(out of 5)
The crumbling away of the aristocracy in 1930s England is the subject of this engrossing drama. Kristin Scott Thomas and James Wilby are excellent as a titled couple whose relationship is strained after her fling with a London boy (Rupert Graves) turns into a full-fledged affair. Add to that a death in the family and the two of them split completely from each other, she taking up residence in London with her lover and he journeying to the rugged jungles of Brazil and befriending a hermit (Alec Guinness). Evelyn Waugh’s classic novel has been given all the class it deserves, brought to life by a fantastic cast which also includes Judi Dench and Anjelica Huston, and envisioned beautifully by the rich production and costume designs. The last act isn’t as juicy as it should be, and the film ends as a bit of a letdown, but it’s still a reputable production that showcases its talents well.
Directed by Charles Sturridge
Screenplay by Derek Granger, Charles Sturridge, Tim Sullivan, based on the novel by Evelyn Waugh
Cinematography by Peter Hannan
Produced by Derek Granger
Music by George Fenton
Production Design by Eileen Diss, Chris Townsend
Costume Design by Jane Robinson
Film Editing by Peter Coulson
Cast Tags: Alan Hay, Alec Guinness, Alice Dawnay, Anjelica Huston, Annabel Brooks, Beatie Edney,Cathryn Harrison, Christopher Godwin, Graham Crowden, Hugh Simon, Jackson Kyle, James Wilby, Jeanne Watts, Jeannette Baillie, John Junkin, John Quentin, Judi Dench, Julian Infante, Kate Percival, Kristin Scott Thomas, Marsha Fitzalan, Matthew Ryan, Maureen Bennett, Moyra Fraser, Norman Lumsden, Peggy Aitchison, Pip Torrens, Richard Beale, Richard Leech, Roger Milner, Rupert Graves,Stephen Fry, Tamsin Olivier, Timothy Bateson, Tristram Jellinek, Wiliam Gonzalez
Academy Award Nomination
Best Costume Design (Jane Robinson)
New York Film Critics Award Nomination
Best Supporting Actor (Alec Guinness)
British Academy Award
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Judi Dench)
Nomination
Best Make Up Artist
