Episode 116: Mike Leigh’s “Topsy-Turvy”
A discussion of Mike Leigh’s 1999 film, “Topsy-Turvy.”
In 1999, Mike Leigh took a drastic stylistic and narrative shift in the film “Topsy-Turvy.” While “Topsy-Turvy” has a different looks than any other Mike Leigh film, it still feels incredible like of his works. The story of legendary opera composers duo Gilbert and Sullivan, Mike Leigh chose to examine their contention relationship while creating one of their most well known operas, “The Mikado.” While the film is large and grand, Mike Leigh took the approach of showing all the handwork from the actors and musicians to bring this opera to the stage.
Why did Mike Leigh take such a sharp shift with the film “Topsy-Turvy?” How does the film “Topsy-Turvy” reflect Mike Leigh’s own struggles to create a narrative? And what other things standout in “Topsy-Turvy?’
Mike Leigh’s “Topsy-Turvy” is the subject of episode 116 of the AuteurCast…
