Running Time 109 Min
Format: DVD MOVIE
Amazon.com
Edward "Ned" Knyaston (Billy Crudup) is a beautiful man, and as an actor in 17th-century London that means he's quite popular portraying women, since females are forbidden to tread the boards. His mischievous air of entitlement, unfortunately, soon sets in motion a chain of events that will see King Charles II (Rupert Everett) lifting the ban on actresses, allowing Ned's devoted dresser, Maria (Claire Danes), to become the city's reigning theatrical diva. Director Richard Eyre (Iris) is still best known for his stage work, and it shows: Stage Beauty is rich in character and attention to detail, yet it doesn't have a popcorn-and-soda pop ease. Jeffrey Hatcher's well-observed script, based on his own play, romps a little self-consciously in Eyre's hands--you can tell it would like to be Shakespeare in Love if it could only relax. The gorgeous Crudup and dewy Danes don't quite click here, but the supporting cast is having a good time going way over-the-top, so if you're hungry for an elaborate historical confection there's enough here to satisfy your taste buds. --Steve Wiecking
Customer Reviews:
A sleeper that is surprisingly good!.......2007-03-15
A period piece set in England around 1660- during King Charles II's reign, somewhere I read (perhaps here) that Stage Beauty is like Shakespeare In Love- only more intelligent. I would agree. This one is for the thinking woman. It's not so full of itself that it bores you, but it has a depth to it that others do not. Certainly more depth then SIL. (And racier too!)
There are many layers to this movie, especially involving dying- not literally of course, though I'm sure at different points in the story the hero wished he could. No, I'm talking about dying to who we think we are so we can become who we are supposed to be.
Slight Spoilers to Follow:
Kynaston (Crudup), is an actor specializing in portraying women's parts during the 1600's. At that time in English History, by order of puritanical law, women were not allowed to act on stage- for painting the ladies was sure to turn said women into whores. Kynaston, bisexual by design rather than nature, does female well enough to make him a star on stage. However, his assistant Maria (Danes) has a secret desire to act as well. One night, in a hole in the wall theater, she gets her chance under the assumed stage name of Margaret Hughes. Of course, she does an impressive job. The King (Everette)- the obvious comic relief of the movie- gets wind of her performance and invites her to the palace. Because of the King's bawdy mistress, who also wants to act, Maria finds herself in the inner circle of the King. She eventually is able to frulfill her dream, free from penality of law- a law banished by ol King Charlie himself.
I suppose our love of setting someone on a pedestal, worshipping them, then knocking them down, has always been- human nature rarely changes no matter what evolution says. Because Kynaston knows he now has a viable threat to his position, he sets about to protect it and in the process gets himself knocked off his high horse. The once belle of the stage becomes fodder for the circus.
No longer able to cling to the person he thought he was, Kynaston has quite the time accepting his fate. And, wouldn't you know it, Maria soon finds- now that she's opened the doors for women to act- she's become passé as well! She runs to Kynaston, bringing along her secret love for him. They find their way back on stage, and while there, Kynaston and Maria discover, perhaps for the first time, who they really are and who they can be- together.
I believe my favorite part of the the film is when Maria and Kynaston actually share the stage together. Othello never looked better and, for that little space of time, it made me wish Othello starring Billy and Claire was the movie playing before me. The scene truly was fantastic and I found myself caught up in it as much as their "audience" in the film. I could watch the last 10 minutes of this film over and over!
All in all, I was surprised how much I like it! Don't be surprised if you do too!
Stage Beauty.......2007-02-18
Stage Beauty is a surprise of a film. Its good. Historically correct,funny,suspenseful,twists and turns, and great fun. One should buy this film for their home library. The film never was available at the movies but is a surprise winner.
Underrated Gem.......2006-12-21
Comparisons between Stage Beauty and Shakespeare in Love are inevitablle. Though Stage Beauty is set about a generation after Shakespeare, both are love stories that deal with the conceit of a man playing a a woman onstage. However, Shakespeare In Love's high profile overshadowed Stage Beauty and more's the pity because Stage Beauty is the better film.
Ned Kynistan (Billy Crudup) has made his career playing women's roles and is considered by meany to be the most beautiful woman on the London stage. offstage however, Ned is deeply confused about his sexuality having been taught and trained from childhood to surpress anything masculine in him. His dressing girl Maria (Claire Danes) watches him from the wings each night mouthing his lines and stealing off to a pub where she illegally performs female roles to crowds interested in the novelty. When the king (Rupert Everett) proclaims that women's roles are to be played by women Ned is suddenly out of a job and Maria takes his place as the toast of the theater world.
All Ned knows is how to mimic a woman. All Maria knows of acting she learned from Ned. Therefore we see her mimic his exaggerated gestures- but coming from a woman they seem false and artificial. Maria comes to fear that she is not an actress but a novelty. Meanwhile Ned is unable to play men, having worked his whole life at being feminine. It takes a few intervening parties including the king and his mistress Nell Gwynn to show Ned and Maria that they are the ones to help each other. We see Ned and Maria stumble into a romance born on the ground of initial fondness and combined with jealousy and resentment. When they perform the death scene from Othello, all of these come into play with the actors as well as the chatacters they play. When Ned attacks Maria for attempting to do something that he'd spent his whole life training to do, she freely admits that she had no teacher but she had less need of practice- she is able to understand what it is to be a woman based on experience, not soley on observation: something that will be her greatest asset as an actress. She also asserts that Ned's formal training left him trapped in a man's body that he has no idea how to inhabit. Every word is true and Ned must struggle to form an identity regardless of whether it is masculine or feminine. He needs to learn to be a person separate from the roles he plays.
All of the performances are good but Crudup and Danes stand out in their roles. Crudup is given a difficult task: to portray a man, raised as a woman and then rejected as one. He's left as a man, which he doesn't know how to be. His walk is affected with a swing in his hips, his voice approaches a falsetto even when he's not in character. Danes has proven herself to be a highly skilled and innately gifted actors many times. She proved adept at Shakespeare's language in Romeo + Juliet, so it's all the more amusing to watch Maria stumble through Shakespeare's lines and put on artificial airs. At the same time she's legitimately in pain; acting is her passion but she struggles with the knowledge that she's terrible at it. Both Danes and Crudup have to play actors- in other words they must play Ned and Maria playing Othello and Desemona. It's a rough thing to do but they pull it off on all levels.
Based on a stage play the dialogue is witty, and Richard Eyre's direction is more than able. The costumes and the scenery are lovely, but unlike in many period films they are not the show. That belongs to the actors, the dialogue and the story.
A complete waste of time! .......2006-12-13
Being a fan of Claire Danes I sat down to watch this movie expecting to enjoy it immensely. It was not far into the film when I decided that this was a complete waste of time. The actors played their parts very well; I do give them credit for portraying the roles they were given to the best of their ability. It was the story that was so poorly written. This was based on a true to life story of two people in the 17th century. The man was an actor who played women's parts and the woman was an actor who wanted to act despite the kings ruling that no woman should be on stage. This description it's self seems like a wonderful story but the writers of this film seemed to go out of their way to make large of petty issues in the film and the ending seemed like the staff decided they didn't want to make the movie anymore and just ended it.
I spent most of the film wondering when it would end. How much more of my time would I have to waste? But I stuck it out and it just didn't get any better.
I suggest that you just skip it.
"A woman playing a woman? Where's the trick in that? ".......2006-08-12
I have been a fan of Billy Crudup's for awhile and I thought he was the only well cast person in this film and he is even lovely as a woman. Claire Danes really lacked a certain quality that would have made her 'star' quality, she always seems so bland. But I do have to give it to them for the final Death Scene. I felt they really captured the intensity of that scene.
Rupert Everett as King Charles is silly and wimpy, and the mistress Nell, played my Zoe Tapper, is just ridiculous.
All in all an entertaining watch.
Average customer rating:
- beauty shop-original stage play
- BeautyShop is A Gem!!!
- Even as a play alone it's pretty bad
- It Wasn't That Bad!
- I love it - it is very funny!!!!!!!
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Beauty Shop - The Original Stage Play
Starring: Shirlene King-Pearson
Director: Shelly Garrett
Manufacturer: Urban Works
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
 General
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4-for-3 Comedy
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ASIN: B0006Z2NK4
Release Date: 2006-02-14 |
Description
The Beauty Shop is UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT and the new owner's name is "BIG MAMA LUCILLE." `Big Mama' is actually not so big because she's a sassy, sexy and flirtatious midget with all the elements that a beauty shop owner could ever ask for. Her shop is loaded with gossip, craziness and cat-fights…not to mention the outrageous characters that work for her. The daily issues that arise in the shop range from adultery and bad hygiene to dirty talk and bachelorette parties. As usual, in this Beauty Shop there's hysterical laughter, dynamic singing and surprises galore. This is not a gospel stage play, but rather a side-splitting, comedic production; an evening of non-stop laughter and just like the original, "BEAUTY SHOP" is total entertainment.
Customer Reviews:
beauty shop-original stage play.......2007-03-31
this was a funny play. the cast had great chemistry together. i enjoyed it. it will stay in my collection.
BeautyShop is A Gem!!!.......2007-01-11
Full of fun and laughter from start to finish.
Good sentiment, music and mirth. Great characters with actors that sparkle and shine. Excellent performances that bring the story to life.
I bought many copies to send to friends and family who may have missed this gem
Even as a play alone it's pretty bad.......2006-03-14
What's the point?
I have a particular fondness of theatre, but the best part of theatre is being there. This movie tries hard to give that experience by showing reaction shots of the audience, but it's not the same.
Some stage shows are open enough and large enough to translate well into a filmed narration without changing sets or adapting. This isn't one of them. In fact, even as a play alone it's pretty bad. The characters are one-dimensional caricatures, the script is lousy, most of the acting is pretty bad, and it doesn't really have a storyline... really...
The only part that's even remotely interesting is the scene where Big Mama wears the zebra suit and the cast just loses control and completely breaks the fourth wall. Yet even still that moment would be a lot more special and a lot more endearing had I actually been there than have to rely on shoddily shot video editing to tell me where to look.
All in all, it was a pretty ridiculous experience, not worth even the price of a rental.
--PolarisDiB
It Wasn't That Bad!.......2006-02-14
Even though I thought that sweetness was overdoing his gay roll, it had it's perks. It kept me awake and had me laughing to the point where I couldn't breathe. Especially when Big mama pulled the gun out on the girl and waltzed out in that zebra cat suit and the cast thought it was so funny, they forgot their lines and had the guy come out and tell them what was to be said next. The play has its ups and downs, but you gotta be in a certain mood to watch it.
I love it - it is very funny!!!!!!!.......2006-02-12
I work at a video store part-time so we get to watch movies before they hit the floor so we can let customers know information about the movies when they ask. I watched Beauty Shop at home with my mom and we both laughed. I took it down my sisters' house and laughed even harder. If you're not the type that take movies seriously and just want a good laugh, you will like this. If you're one to look at movies, especially if you're African America, and will say things like, "This makes us look real bad." No it's not for you. One thing I've learned is that life is too short to spend it disecting things when movies are for ENTERTAINMENT. Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry, some will also make you evaluate yourself (now these are the ones to take serious especially if it makes a positive effect on you). If you want to laugh and be entertained where you can just relax and enjoy the moment without being serious - watch this play. That's why I'm on here now to purchase it when it comes out Feb. 14th. I'm putting my order in now!!!
Average customer rating:
- Beyond Perfection
- As performed in 1890
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Tchaikovsky - The Sleeping Beauty / Kolpakova, Berezhnoi, Kunakova, Kirov Ballet
Starring: Irina Kolpakova , and Kirov Opera Ballet
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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Ballet & Dance
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Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich
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- Tchaikovsky, Petipa - Swan Lake / Kirov Ballet, Yulia Makhalina, Igor Zelensky
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ASIN: B0009WIDXK
Release Date: 2005-07-26 |
Description
The Sleeping Beauty is the grandest of all the surviving 19th-century ballets and the supreme achievement of the imperial Russian ballet. First performed in 1890 at the Maryinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, the ballet has been preserved in continuous performance by the company that created it. The way in which the heirs of the old imperial ballet continue to honor the choreographic genius of Marius Petipa and the glories of Tchaikovsky's score, means that The Sleeping Beauty is ideally to be seen in the interpretation of the Kirov Ballet whose performance in the company's 200th year in 1982 was captured in this presentation. Leading the cast is Irina Kolpakova, recognised as one of the former Soviet Union's greatest ballerinas and justly celebrated throughout the world for the beauty and clarity of her classic dancing in the role of Princess Aurora. With Sergei Berezhoi as Prince Desire and Lubov Kunakova as The Lilac Fairy.
Customer Reviews:
Beyond Perfection.......2006-04-17
The ballerinas in this production by the Kirov are dazzling. One wonders how one company can have so many dancers operating at such a high level of brilliance. The set for Act 2 - enormous background paintings in fall colors - stands out in particular. But it is the dancing of the Corps, along with the individual fairies and Aurora herself, that make the viewing of this DVD a reason to go on living.
As performed in 1890.......2006-02-17
If you read between the lines of the Product Review, you should be forewarned enough not to buy this DVD. Irina Kolpakova may not have performed it in 1890, but she's no "spring chicken" here. She reminds me of Margot Fonteyn when she was way past her prime in Swan Lake with Rudolf Nureyev (on DVD, and also not the best). Neither had two feet off the ground at any time, although Fonteyn was vastly more graceful in her performance. The length of this performance (2:50) helps to make it unwatchable for any but those wanting to see it "as performed in 1890". Which leads to my main complaint. I have Swan Lake by the American Ballet Theatre and the Nutcracker by the Bolshoi (both 2005 editions), and the choreography and dancing skills are AWESOME - and even more so when compared to this production, which I suppose points out that these skills have improved over the years, especially when compared to a ballet company that seems to be stuck in 1890. I will say, though, that the Kirov did a good job with their Nutcracker (a 1994 edition, but danced in the '70's). The lighting in the second act made everything annoyingly pink, but otherwise not a bad production.
Average customer rating:
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The Original Beauty Shop
Starring: Beauty Shop
Manufacturer: Scriptmasterfilm.Com
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
General
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ASIN: B0007TRDGS
Release Date: 2006-11-07 |
Product Description
Best selling American play writer, Shelly Garrett presents his award winning play about a three-day, hilarious adventure in the 'Pamper Me' Beauty Shop based in Los Angeles. With Robert Terry as 'Chris' and Retha Jones os B.E.T.'s "Comic View" as "Terri Fuller." Beauty Shop is the highest Grossing stage play in American history, grossing over 150 Million at the box office!
Description
A panel on the film Stage Beauty with the stars of the film, Billy Crudup and Claire Danes, and the director, Sir Richard Eyre. Then, a look back at the career of filmmaker John Cassevetes with his wife Gena Rowlands, filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich and actor Ben Gazzara.
Average customer rating:
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Warship Stage
Manufacturer: Guangzhou Beauty Culture Communication Co.Ltd
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
General
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ASIN: B000LP4ZD2
Release Date: 2006-12-01 |
Description
In the early days of 1970s,a worker of the ship factory held a recomondation of manufacturing a large ship on the small stage,getting support from everyone.But the hidden enemy Dong Yiwen used the director's conservative thoughts and tried to ruin the ship.In the end,Lei Haisheng found out his guilt and Zhao Ping come to realize what was wrong.So the new ship come out.
Average customer rating:
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The Stage Art of Shang Xiaoyun
Manufacturer: Guangzhou Beauty Culture Communication Co.Ltd
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
ASIN: B000OYNSRE
Release Date: 2007-03-27 |
Description
It was made up of two plays. The first one was in the harvest time. The production team sent Cai Jiu to notice all the families to keep the hens and ducks from eating the millet in the team. But aunt Lin did it intentionally and was given a lesson by Cai
Average customer rating:
- HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Disapointed !!!!!!!!!
- A Pure let down
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Beauty Shop
Manufacturer: Shelly Garrett Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
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ASIN: B0002QPPUC |
Product Description
A wonderful Comedy Stage Play by Shelly Garrett.
Customer Reviews:
HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2006-04-21
If you have any sense of humor you'll love it. It was a really good play. I'm not sure why people are only giving the play one star. The play did have one flaw, the plot was everywhere and there wasn't any real main problem there were mini problems that were solved kind of quickly. If you're in love with stageplays and like to see the true beauty of stage performance then this may not be fit for you. But if you're not uptight and love to laugh I'd definately buy if I were you.
The play is mainly targeted to the ladies and/or black community, but i gues comedy is a UNIVERSAL laqnguage, anyway I think oyu should get it to see if oyu like it because we all have different views on what's funny, so go out and get you a copy of Shelly Garret's Beauty Shop and see if oyu like it, like i did.
Disapointed !!!!!!!!!.......2005-04-09
The play was not worth the money. The humor is bad and the characters are horrible. This was so unlike the other plays that I've seen. I was really disappointed because I thought it would be better. The camera was too far away and the script was awful. The plot was all screwed up and I kept falling to sleep.
Don't buy it!!!!!
A Pure let down.......2005-01-22
This movie is nothing like the real play that toured the United States. The humor is bad and the characters are horrible. This was so unlike the play I was really disappointed because I loved Beauty Shop 1 & 2 (the Play) Save your money on this one!
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