Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35023 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-04-19
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 102 minutes

Special Features

• Audio commentary from director Stephen Fry
  
• Behind The Scenes featurette
  
• Documentary on Stephen Fry
  
• Interactive menu
  
• Scene access

DVD Technical Information:

• Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.35:1 Anamorphic
  
• Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
  
• Running Time: 1 hour and 41 minutes approx.
  
• Region Code: 2

Synopsis
Adapted from Evelyn Waugh's novel 'Vile Bodies' - BRIGHT YOUNG THING is the directorial debut for Stephen Fry and follows the lives of a novelist, Adam (Stephen Campbell Moore) and his would-be lover, Nina (Emily Mortimer) as they mix with the 'bright young things' who inhabit the upper echelons of fashionable London. As his friends look for newer more dangerous sensations they crash and burn one-by-one.

Customer Reviews

Vastly underrated, exquisite comedy
Stephen Fry's directorial debut didn't cause much of a splash at the box office, and received a fairly thorough critical panning. I had no plans to see this film due to the press criticism, but when I eventually got around to it, I was very pleasantly surprised.

The film rattles along at a great pace, with fantastic characters and great acting - Stephen Campbell Moore is a great lead, and Fenella Woolgar's Agatha Runcible is one of the funniest characters I've seen in a film.

The story is set in the 20s, but deals with the mores of our age - celebrity, decadence and style over substance. The film also looks amazing - capturing the colour, dazzle and decadence of the period. The visual richness is reminiscent of the deep colours and glitter used in Cabaret.

I wouldn't be surprised if Bright Young Things got bad reviews because of Stephen Fry - maybe critics don't want 'director' added to his already bulging CV. Don't believe the hype! See the film!

Brilliant!
Like a cross between "Cabaret" and "Moulin Rouge" this film just blew me away. I'm embarassed to say that I just saw it, and see now that it was made in 2003. It makes me wonder how many other great films I've been missing. The settings and acting are first rate and I honestly can't find a flaw in this movie. The story is set in 1930s London, before the war, and we get a look at the divine decadance that was glimpsed in "Cabaret," only the plot is more thrown about and there are some fetching scenes involving Number 10 Downing Street--the funniest part of the movie--well, not for anyone living at 10 Downing Street. At any rate, the plot centers on getting the money, losing the money--required to marry a certain girl. the twists and turns this movie takes on are just mind boggling and the editing is quirky and keeps you on your toes. Honestly, I was so disappointed by "Moulin Rouge" and this is what it should have been more like. It's like a Merchant Ivory film on drugs--this is a compliment. At any rate, the story is not only entertaining, but touching and well crafted. I just can't recommend this movie enough.

Very good visually
Stephen Fry, the director of this film, has many talents, not least as a comedian and wit and in my view he has made a thoroughly good job of this film. It has a sparkle and pace to it and some wonderful performances from a young and enthusiastic group of actors. (Particularly good is Fenella Woolgar as Agatha Runcible but everyone is at least good in his/her role.) All that having been said I think Stephen could have chosen a better novel to adapt for his first film as director. "Vile Bodies", the novel on which it based, is a fizzy but rather empty read and even if you adapt it very well, as he has, the best you can probably hope for is a fizzy, empty film and that's more or less what you get. No fault can be attached to the direction, acting or the set design. (The sets, by the way, are sumptuous, exquisitely designed and wholly convincing). In conclusion 5 stars for effort and visual appeal but possibly three for the overall film.