Parents' Guide to The Dresser

Both Courtenay and Finney were Oscar nominated for their roles here, and it is no surprise given the absolute tour de force performances at the heart of this classic British movie. Based on a play about a play, The Dresser has an old-school theatrical quality, rich with tradition, that really illuminates the gloomy backstage world of the theater. From the antiquated storm effects to the rituals for luck and fear of mentioning the dreaded "Scottish play" (Macbeth), it is not just Finney's disintegrating psyche that hangs by a thread, but the entire production.

Courtenay shines as the maniacally practical "dresser" -- all soothing words, upbeat pep talks, and swigs of the hard stuff -- treading a fine line between devoted care and mild contempt, to keep both men stumbling toward a goal of greatness long since past. Finney's formidable bully of a man is, in turns, lost boy and raging bull, the sheer power of his booming Shakespearean projection enough to bring a moving locomotive to halt when he hollers "Stop that train!" as the troupe rush through a station. Cleverly written and beautifully directed to capture the finer details of both farce and tragedy alike, this is a true classic of British stage and screen, and merges the traditions of both expertly with the help of some true greats of the British scene.