Topsy Turvy

Director Mike Leigh (Secrets and Lies) has borrowed his subjects' mirthful sense of humor and penchant for prolonged presentation in this jaunty, jolly, light-hearted look at the lives of Victorian operetta architects Gilbert and Sullivan. The film drops us right into a rift that formed between the duo in the wake of their biggest flop ("Princess Ida") and follows in humorous detail their rivalry and reconciliation on "The Mikado." Jim Broadbent and Allan Corduner give illustrious performances as the peevish pair, and almost every scene is a pleasure, thanks in part to Leigh's obvious devotion to the material, his meticulous dedication to detail and his wonderfully droll period dialogue. Recommended. (R. Blackwelder)[DVD/Blu-ray Review—Mar. 29, 2008—Criterion, 160 min., R, DVD: 2 discs, $29.95, Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray and latest on DVD, 1999's Topsy-Turvy sports an excellent transfer and DTS-HD 5.1 sound on Blu-ray (and Dolby Digital 5.1 on DVD). Blu-ray and DVD extras include audio commentary by director Mike Leigh, a new video conversation between Leigh and music director Gary Yershon (38 min.), Leigh's 1992 short film “A Sense of History” starring Jim Broadbent (26 min.), deleted scenes (14 min.), a 1999 featurette with interviews of Leigh and cast members (10 min.), trailers and TV spots, and a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Amy Taubin. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a solid film.]