Stuart - A Life Backwards
(2007)
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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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