The Dresser
A fiercely devoted dresser battles exhaustion, alcoholism, and an aging star’s unraveling to get King Lear onto the stage.
Overview
A personal assistant battles to keep a fading star's performance alive amidst chaos and decline.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- theatrical
- witty
- claustrophobic
- theater appreciation
- classic film night
What critics said
Critics overwhelmingly praised the film as a richly detailed, humane, and superbly acted backstage drama, with theatrical lore and emotional depth beneath its surface humor.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Norman manages makeup, costumes, entrances, and performance customs while preparing King Lear.
Norman works tirelessly to stabilize and serve the deteriorating Sir before and during the performance.
Sir's ability to appear as King Lear is bound to his struggle to continue functioning as an actor.
The film concentrates conflict in dressing rooms, corridors, and the theater surrounding one difficult performance.
Films like The Dresser, and why
All About Eve
backstage theatrical drama centered on performance, aging, and volatile artistic personalities
Birdman
intense actor-centered drama exploring theatrical identity, ego, and professional devotion
Opening Night
emotionally intricate backstage drama about performance, rivalry, and personal sacrifice
Movie Details
- Director
- Peter Yates
- Release Date
- 1983-12-06
- Runtime
- 118 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (84)
Cast
- Albert Finney
- Tom Courtenay
- Edward Fox
- Zena Walker
- Eileen Atkins
- Michael Gough
- Cathryn Harrison
- Betty Marsden
- Sheila Reid
- Lockwood West
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Dresser about?
- A fiercely devoted dresser battles exhaustion, alcoholism, and an aging star’s unraveling to get King Lear onto the stage.
- What is The Dresser like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Dresser as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Dresser violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Dresser.
- What did critics think of The Dresser?
- Critics overwhelmingly praised the film as a richly detailed, humane, and superbly acted backstage drama, with theatrical lore and emotional depth beneath its surface humor.
- Which films are like The Dresser?
- Films with a similar feel include All About Eve, Birdman, and Opening Night.
- How long is The Dresser?
- The Dresser runs 118 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Dresser?
- In United States, The Dresser streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
