Set in 1940 England during the blitz, Sir (Albert Finney) is the aging star and manager of a Shakespearean stage company, leading his troupe of women and men too old or damaged to fight. All the young actors are in uniform, hospital, or dead. Sir gets by with the help of his dresser Norman (Tom Courtenay) a fussy, loyal, very English "nancy-boy" man behind the man, maintaining a desperate hold on his good humour even as his life is coming apart in shreds as Sir disintegrates. Norman deals with the egomaniacal old ham in the early stages of senility. The show must go on, despite bombing raids, Sir's collapse, and other difficulties. Sir and Norman act like an old married couple. While Norman is evidently gay, he is not the only one. The often talked about but never seen Mr. Davenport-Scott is the other, and the reason for his disappearance seems to be he was detained by the police for homosexual activity, a criminal offense in England at the time.
The film details a close and touching relationship as the dresser remains in the background while enabling the once great actor to continue his work. Mainly this is the story of two men, one an artist who is used to taking what he needs from those around him, and the other who gives his life over to that man. Though we see other people, the film is really a duet between Sir and Norman, his personal assistant, who gets him into costume and into shape to go onstage each night. Sir is on his last legs and Norman is his cheerleader, his parent, and whipping boy. Finney captures the proud insecurity of this aging ham, whose career has never quite matched his expectations but who convinces himself each night that a performance in the provinces is as important as playing London's West End. As far as the complaints that Finney chews the scenery a bit, just remember that he's playing an aging, egotistical scene-chewing actor. It's not a happy film, but it is a great backstage tale.
This film is an adaptation of the West End London and Broadway hit by Ronald Harwood. He based the play on his experiences as dresser to distinguished English Shakespearean actor-manager Sir Donald Wolfit, who is the "Sir" in the play. "The Dresser" was first presented on March 6, 1980, at The Royal Exchange Theatre. The movie features well-timed direction, a sturdy plot, and very good acting. James Horner composed the original music, Ronald Harwood wrote the screenplay, and Peter Yates directed.
