Review of Another Country (1984) by Spencer S — 03 May 2011

Another Country is always trying to be far more complex than it actually is. Fusing together themes of homosexuality, Communism, and the system of prefects in British boarding schools in the 1930's, it becomes a haphazard maze of inconsistencies and irritating subtext.

Rupert Everett, the only shining light of the entire film, is only sparingly announced as gay amongst his peers, most of whom are so desperate for companionship that they have secret trysts with members of their classes.

(Other notable roles go to very young Colin Firth and Cary Elwes.) With his usual suave flair and youthful grandeur, Everett is just sly enough not to outright confess throughout the plot that his sexuality is based on himself and not his situation.

The prefect system on the other hand is both an annoying subplot, and supposedly overbearing presence in the lives of the schoolmates. Besides being terribly boring and longwinded, the absence of fear was evident on the screen.

It didn't help that the score was yet another unpleasant 80's concoction, or that the wardrobe was peculiar for the time period.