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Stuart A Life Backwards [DVD] [2007]
 
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Stuart A Life Backwards [DVD] [2007]

DVD ~ Tom Hardy
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
RRP: £15.99
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Stuart A Life Backwards [DVD] [2007]
70% buy the item featured on this page:
Stuart A Life Backwards [DVD] [2007] 5.0 out of 5 stars (8)
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Product details

  • Actors: Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch
  • Directors: David Attwood
  • Format: Dolby, PAL, Widescreen
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 18
  • Studio: Revelation Films Ltd
  • DVD Release Date: 25 Aug 2008
  • Run Time: 88 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B001ASPO7K
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 7,700 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

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Reviews

Product Description

The award-winning drama Stuart A Life Backwards details the remarkable friendship between a reclusive writer and illustrator (Alexander played by Benedict Cumberbatch) and a chaotic homeless man (Stuart played by BAFTA Award nominated Tom Hardy), whom he gets to know during a campaign to release two charity workers from prison. As Alexander learns more about Stuart s complicated life and traumatic childhood, he asks if he can write his story and Stuart advises him to write the story backwards, so that it s more exciting like a Tom Clancy murder-mystery . As their remarkable alliance develops, Stuart gradually recounts his life story in reverse, his resilient personality and dry sense of humour giving the story an almost tragi-comic edge. Through post-office heists, attempts at suicide and spells inside various institutions, Alexander is given a glimpse into a totally alien world and begins to understand how Stuart s life spiralled so badly out of control.


Synopsis

Based on the acclaimed book by Alexander Masters, STUART: A LIFE BACKWARDS is the unconventional non-fiction biography of homeless alcoholic Stuart Shorter. Benedict Cumberbatch (ATONEMENT, THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL) plays Masters, a reclusive writer and illustrator who strikes up an unlikely friendship with Shorter--portrayed with a quiet intensity by Tom Hardy (WAZ, SCENES OF A SEXUAL NATURE)--during a campaign to release two charity workers from prison. As the pair get to know each other, more and more portentous details of Stuart's traumatic childhood and turbulent adolescence come to light. Fascinating by how these events contributed to Stuart's current situation, Alexander encourages him to tell his life story--in reverse to make it 'more exciting – like a Tom Clancy murder-mystery'. Gradually with plenty of pathos, dry dark humour and without shying away from the more malignant aspects of Stuart's personality or the crimes committed, a very complex and tragic life is unraveled.
Excellent performances from the leads and supporting players, plus an insightful, uncontrived script remaining close to the award-winning book, make STUART: A LIFE BACKWARDS stand out as a modern classic.

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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Convict curry, 9 Oct 2009
By Ms. Rebekah Williams "Rebekah Williams" (Birmingham, England.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Every now and then, the BBC produce a drama so breath-haltingly wonderful, it makes you want to trot off to Television Centre and press every single exorbitant pound of license fee money straight into the hands of the TV execs who gave it the go ahead.

The man at the centre of this drama, Stuart Clive Shorter, was it seems, a 'convict curry' of contradictions; By turns, gentle yet violent, intelligent yet credulous, polite yet terrifying, innocent yet street savvy - riding the tidal wave of his personality with a strange kind of grace and sharp humour.

Shunted around like a hockey puck from institution to institution and beset by abuse, disability and addiction from childhood, our introduction to the 33 year old Stuart begins when he parks himself in a Cambridge drop in centre and wins over writer Alexander Masters with his perculiarly acute worldview.

Stuart and Alexander become unlikely allies in campaigning against the unjust imprisonment of two out-reach workers, jailed when a homeless centre they ran was raided by Police.

Long hours and long journeys lead to long conversations, as Alexander decides to 'staple Stuart to the page' - writing, at Stuart's invitation, a 'murder mystery'. Starting - Columbo style - with the victim, and guiding the viewer slowly through the horrific crimes which led to the maiming of the man, and the killing of the boy.

Director David Attwood has previously taken viewers on a visceral voyage through Edwardian seas in 'To The Ends of The Earth', and again, does not flinch from the difficult subject matter contained in Stuart's story.

Attwood's use of black and white cartoon sequences to illustrate the darker aspects of Stuart's life is an ingenious device, giving light relief while still underlining the theme of childhood lost. Stuart's endearing attempts to cook the most unpalatable food ever eaten rival even Baldrick's finest culinary efforts, and add a splash of welcome gallows humour.

Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch, (as Stuart and Alexander respectively), pull of a masterclass in understated brilliance. Through their performances, this technicolour story is allowed to breathe freely, and like Stuart, it sneaks up slowly and grabs you by the heart.

'Stuart- A Life Backwards' remains a fittingly mad, sad, joyous and chaotic tribute to a man who, like a sort of skewed David Copperfield, was the hero of his own life. It's a one-off - Much like the man himself.


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6 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars superb!, 20 Jul 2008
By Ms. H. Panayiotou - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
A very harrowing, thought provoking and fantastic film. Even though the film is about such disturbing events the humour lightens it and you become engrossed in the story line rooting for Stuart and Alexander! Brilliant just brilliant!!
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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Tom Hardy Fan's Must See, 4 Jul 2009
This has got to be one of my favorite roles of Tom Hardy's. Based on a true story, Stuart: A Life Backwards chronicles the brief life of Stuart Shorter. A homeless man who changes the life of writer Alexander Masters as he forms a friendship with this remarkable man and decides to write the first book ever on a homeless person. This movie is heart wrenching and beautiful as it takes you on a journey introducing you to Stuart and Alex and the bond that forms between them. Tom Hardy is absolutely brilliant as Stuart. He brings so much emotional depth to this role. He will have you laughing and crying as you follow Stuart's journey. Benedict Cumberbatch is also brilliant as Alex. His on screen chemistry with Tom Hardy mirrors and strengthens the real life friendship between Alex and Stuart.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A must see film.
This is a great film, based on the life of Stuart, a homeless man. The humour through this film will make you smile at even the most tragic scenes. Read more
Published 1 month ago by D. TAYLOR

5.0 out of 5 stars Stuart. A life backwards

Splendid film. Very serious and tragic, also funny in parts.
Several serious issues tackled in the story and one can only hope that
changes in attitude and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Barb Hope

5.0 out of 5 stars A thought provoking film
This film is simply amazing. Although the writing by Alexander Masters is superb, I doubt it would be anywhere near as good with anyone else in the title role. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. S. J. Zammit

5.0 out of 5 stars Shocking
ly good. If even only one of the issues masked but so cleverly uncovered in this film has affected you; watch it. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Janev Laffey

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
This is one of the best films that I have seen for years. Thought provoking, moving, funny and incredibly sad. A wonderful adaptation. Hardy gives his best performance yet.
Published 12 months ago by Sookie

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