Fry impresses in director’s chair debut
STEPHEN FRY’S directorial debut, Bright Young Things, is set during the swinging ’30s where the beautiful people are having the time of their lives.
There’s plenty of money, drugs and parties to go around and the good times look like they are never going to end.
At the centre of all this mayhem is Adam (Stephen Campbell Moore), a hard-up writer who is desperately searching for some cash to marry his sweetheart Nina (Emily Mortimer).
Every time he looks like he’s going to make some money he manages somehow to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
His editor (Dan Aykroyd) and his feckless friends aren’t much help either.
Miles (Michael Sheen), Agatha (Fenella Woolgar), Simon (James McAvoy) and co are far too busy enjoying themselves to care about a friend in need.
The film’s main strength is in the impressive cast that Fry has managed to assemble. Jim Broadbent is excellent as the drunken Major, Julia Mackenzie is on top form as Adam’s landlady and there’s even a cameo of John Mills as a coke-snorting party animal.
But it’s the newcomers that really steal the show. Stephen Campbell Moore seems to be perfectly cast as the increasing bedraggled Adam, while Fenella Woolgar is show-stopping as dozy friend Agatha.
Bright Young Things is an impressive debut by Fry and well worth renting.
Comedy, 15. 3/5
