Review of Christopher and His Kind (2011) by Ceph J — 25 Oct 2011
An unsatisfying account of writer Christopher Isherwood's Berlin odyssey. The BBC production feels like a perfunctory bioflick. Here's Christopher traveling, having sex, arguing with his mother, head over heels with gorgeous Douglas Booth (as Heinz). It doesn't add up to a meaning film, just excerpts of the man's life.
The actresses actually give the film gravitas. Lindsay Duncan is great as Kathleen Isherwood, his no-nonsense mom. Imogen Poots has a flamboyant role as Jean Ross, the inspiration for Sally Bowle as played by Liza Minnelli in "Cabaret." I was moved by Issy Van Ranwyck, the wise German landlady. The actors are all posing, either dramatically or sexually. Matt Smith is bland as Isherwood, Toby Jones is too mannered and stiff as Gerald, and Tom Wlaschiha is a villain as the Nazi fan. Douglas Booth as Heinz and Alexander Doetsch as the male prostitute, Casper, are simply eye candy.
It's ironic that a film about the writer Isherwood's life pales dramatically with the effervescent classic "Cabaret" based on his writings. I do think there's strong material for a real drama but "Christopher and His Kind" is not deep enough.
This review of Christopher and His Kind (2011) was written by Ceph J on 25 Oct 2011.
Christopher and His Kind has generally received positive reviews.
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