Review of Another Country (1984) by Steph O — 31 Jul 2010

An incredibly well written drama showcasing the talents of then-young actors like Colin Firth and Ruper Everett. Comparisons will inevitably be drawn between this movie and 1987's "Maurice" - but even though "Another Country" was released 3 years earlier, it could almost be a sequel to "Maurice". A fitting follow up, set a couple of decades later.

Despite the similar themes, "Maurice" and "Another Country" are certainly two different movies. "Another Country" is more about the school that Bennett (Rupert Everett) attends. It's about the politics of the school, how it functions, and how the heads of the houses and the prefects deal with the scandalous incidents that sometimes occur. The prefects in the film essentially try to manage the gay students, the students who "indulge" - as they put it. Should they expel them, or will they then have no students left, they wonder. These discussions stem from a tragic incident at the beginning of the film involving a student hanging themselves after being caught by a teacher... doing... well, you can probably guess.

I've always kind of liked Rupert Everett. I like his voice, and his accent. But never have I seen him put out such a great performance. The friendship between Everett and Firth's characters is fascinating, the dialogue is witty, the lines are memorable, and this movie made me realise what a great actor Everett really is. "God, if our parents only knew what actually went on here..." - Bennett muses.

The characters are all very posh, very intelligent - but certainly not the prudes that Americans often paint every British person as. I know I'm rambling a bit, but there are just so many great things about this movie. I wish I could remember more of the lines, because there are some great lines in "Another Country". The dialogue and the acting were definitely my favourite things about the movie. Oh wait I do remember one. There is a scene where Everett's character Bennett is talking with Firth's character about how he wants to be one of the head students of the school one day. This is really the only thing that makes his hellhole of a school tolerable. "Life is ladders Tommy, that's all." - Bennett says. I love that line.

"Another Country" is less of a love story than "Maurice". While Bennett does fall in love with a boy named James (played by Cary Elwes, who is absolutely adorable) they really only have one romantic scene together and it isn't explicit or anything like that. Just cute. But don't let that deter you, "Another Country" is far from boring. It's actually really great, for the reasons I've already stated. I'm not sure if it's available here on DVD or anything but if you want to watch this movie I know for a fact it's on YouTube. "Another Country" may not be the 5 star masterpiece that "Maurice" is, but it's still a great 4 star movie and a really appropriate follow up to a movie like "Maurice". I highly recommend you see both!