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Shaca69
Reviews
Stuart: A Life Backwards (2007)
Superb adaptation of a tragic eye-opening biography
Alexander Master's book, Stuart: A Life Backwards, is a masterpiece and probably influences my rating here but I think this adaptation for the BBC captures all the elements of the story extremely well. Whilst some of the detail of the tragic events of Stuart's childhood are given little airtime, the impression is not lost and reflects the need to stick to 90 minutes per the BBC's commission rather than being the result misguiding adaptation.
The viewer is taken on a trip through the downs and downs of Stuart's incomprehensibly tough upbringing in reverse, starting with his present day life as a psychotic homeless junkie and moving back towards the climax of the movie which is the horrific abuse he suffered so young in his short life and how his dependence on the drug of violence was initially catalysed.
Stuart is superbly played by Tom Hardy and whilst it can take a while to tune in to his often quiet and Muscular Dystrophy affected voice, ultimately it only reflects on the quality of the performance that this aspect was not compromised for the viewers.
I was less satisfied by the casting of Benedict Cumberbatch as Alexander, the author who befriends Stuart through the biographical process. I'm sure he plays Alexander very accurately but I found it harder to believe in this character.
Finally, I wish the movie had focused more on the possible reasons for the final outcome. The book spends a good deal of time on the epilogue and when watching with my wife who had not read the book, I felt that I needed to explain more than perhaps ought to have been necessary. Having spoken to the director, David Attwood, he did convince me to a degree that it was better this way.
Regardless, as a self-contained piece of work, the movie is an amazing piece of work for all concerned and it deserves all the plaudits and credit it has received; not least for the input of Stuart's family and Alexander himself. I don't recall watching such a good TV movie in many many years Stuart Shorter, rest in peace; it wasn't your fault.