MovieChat Forums > All or Nothing at All (1993) Discussion > A must see

A must see

posted 16 years ago by AriesJB4
5 replies | jump to latest

I bought the two disc dvd set from Amazon and it arrived yesterday. Watched the entire program in two sittings. It is really a gripping tale from start to finish. If you have perceived Hugh Laurie to be a comedic talent who happened onto House and turned himself into a dramatic actor at that point, you will be in for a real shocker. This film was made for tv in England in 1993, and it is too bad that it was only a televised mini-series. It deserved more of an audience via a theatrical release. The supporting cast includes Pippa Guard and Phyllida Law (Emma Thompson's mother) and Bob Monkhouse.

Beautifully acted all around, and how Hugh did not even get nominated for a BAFTA or any other award recognition is totally beyond me. I certainly hope that more people are able to obtain this film via a purchase or a rental via Netflix or Blockbuster and the like when it becomes available at those sources. You will not be sorry in the least.

All I can say is "Wow" - totally believable and heartbreaking performances by all. If you think Hugh Laurie is phenomenal in his Gregory House portrayal, I suggest as one user comment has suggested, take the phone off the hook and prepare yourself for unchartered territory.

[–] gwen24 16 years ago

You can't speak more highly than that, AriesJB4, I have it on order, can't wait. He is amazing, isn't he? I know I'm biased, but he seems to be able to move so easily between comedic and dramatic acting. Have you seen a little gem of a movie, "The Young Visiters" where he plays an English Lord? ( Very much tongue in cheek) The story has a funny history which might appeal to you. No one mentions it much.

[–] AriesJB4 16 years ago

I haven't seen "The Young Visiters" but I do have it on order and should be here any day now. I commented to another poster that Hugh is like a chameleon. He seems to become the character in question - whether it be a dramatic role such as in "All or Nothing at All", "101 Dalmatians"(comedy of course), Mr. Palmer in "Sense and Sensibility" and of course "House" (to name a few). The "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" characterizations do touch greatly upon his knack of becoming whoever he is supposed to be. I think that many of his performances have flown under the radar and I fail to see how.

I don't know if you have seen on youtube video to the tune of Josh Ritter's song, "Good Man", that has a three or so minute tribute to the Fry-Laurie collaboration. At the end of the video one of the last pieces is a shot of Hugh from the "Intimate Moments" sketch that Stephen Fry acted as emcee and it almost looks like a testimonial. I am taking this out of context of course, but it resembles a "This is Your Life" format. Try to watch it if you haven't already. ("Good Man" by the way was the song that season 3 of "House" ended on).

[–] gwen24 16 years ago

Is that Intimate Moments Sketch 1991 with Emma Freud, Rowan Atkinson, Craig Ferguson and F&L? There may have been more than one, I'll have a look. You & I have met before on the Robert Mitchum board. I hope you enjoy "The Young Visiters". I've recently bought the book. It has a very interesting history.

[–] AriesJB4 16 years ago

Yes, that is the sketch.

[–] AriesJB4 15 years ago

For anyone who has seen this, or even if you haven't, the minute I heard and read about the Bernard Madoff (Nasdaq chairman) Ponzi scheme, this film immediately came to mind.

"Con me Leo" indeed.

Please try to get a hold of this dvd set. You will not be able to stop watching from the beginning til the end. It is that good.