The Life And Death Of Peter Sellers Review

"THE LIFE AND DEATH OF PETER SELLERS" reviews

Movie

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF PETER SELLERS

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2005-10-25 21:37:36

Provider

Review

Numerous books and documentaries have charted the fact that Peter Sellers was a insecure and often troubled man, and it would take a brave man to try and bring this complex character to the big screen in his various guises. Step forward Geoffrey Rush...

Opening roughly at the point when Sellers was making the transition from radio comedian (as one of The Goons) to big screen lead, he charts his highs and his lows, from the The Pink Panther movies and Dr. Strangelove to his four marriages and various relationships. But director Stephen Hopkins also tries to give us insight to Seller's psyche and his need to inhabit any character but his own.

It's probably fair to say straight off that anyone without a modicum of knowledge about Peter Seller's life may struggle to get much out of this movie. And even fans who only really think they know Seller's from his films may be a bit surprised by what they see - Peter's insecurity and tantrums for example - but those who have dug a little deeper should enjoy the homages and nods to his quirks and catalogue of work.

Covering several decades, Hopkins is able to infuse various time specific devices into his work to make sure the audience always knows where and when, as well as capturing the mood and atmosphere of the time. He's also happy to play around a bit, using fantasy sequences to show Peter slowy beginning to unravel, as the pressure he put himself under started to chip away at his grip on sanity.

Performance wise, most of the kudos must go to Rush who really captures the characters Sellers made his own but special mention should also go to the likes of Charlize Theron (as Britt Ekland), John Lithgoe (Blake Edwards), Miriam Margolyes (Peter's mother) and Stanley Tucci (Stanley Kubrick).

For those who have seen all of Seller's films then this movie will be something new to sink their teeth into but those unfamiliar with the great man might be better off watching something like Being There first.