Dean Spanley (My Talks with Dean Spanley) (2008)
Average Rating: 6.5/10
Reviews Counted: 27
Fresh: 23 | Rotten: 4
Offbeat, whimsical, period-set shaggy dog story with daffy performances from Sam Neill and Peter O'Toole.
Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 2
Offbeat, whimsical, period-set shaggy dog story with daffy performances from Sam Neill and Peter O'Toole.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 799
Movie Info
Multiple Oscar nominee Peter O'Toole adds yet another offbeat role to his long resume with the mystical comedy-drama Dean Spanley. Adapted from Lord Dunsany's popular novella My Talks with Dean Spanley and helmed by Toa Fraser, the film stars O'Toole as Horatio Fisk, an irascible, cantankerous septuagenarian living out his final days at the turn of the 20th Century. Despite his distant and slightly strained relationship with his son Henslowe (Jeremy Northam), Horatio willfully joins the young
Sep 6, 2008 Wide
Icon Film Distribution Ltd.
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Cast
-
Jeremy Northam
Young Fisk -
Sam Neill
Dean Spanley -
Bryan Brown
Wrather -
Peter O'Toole
Fisk Senior -
Judy Parfitt
Mrs. Brimley -
Art Malik
Swami Presh -
Dudley Sutton
Marriot -
Eva Sayer
Girl -
Charlotte Graham
Woman in Park -
Jenna Pollard
Housemaid
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All Critics (29) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (23) | Rotten (4) | DVD (2)
This nicely acted drama, in quietly intimating the quirky familial relations and peculiar fascinations of the era - not least with the transmigration of souls, mysticism and the supernatural - delivers a highly pleasurable if modest experience.
Top CriticA dull and thoroughly stilly British drama based on the idea of canine reincarnation.
It's a talky, narrowly focused piece that feels like an after-dinner anecdote presented with the full ceremony of a formal meal.
A witty and watchable period drama, but in danger of being remembered more for its service to O'Toole than for the impression it leaves on audiences.
A delightful period piece about reincarnation, friendship and dogs with a wonderful collection of performances from its four main characters.
I loved it.
Truly original and very moving, with a hypnotic and elliptical quality all its own.
Fraser and Sharp have structured the film, and the cast interpret it, so that comedy and poignancy are intertwined to the last; even as all is revealed, a sense of wonder remains.
This whimsical tale, based on a short story by Lord Dunsany, has moving undercurrents of loss and grief and in underplaying his role, Peter O'Toole brings a beautiful sense of reconciliation to his character.
Toa Fraser's sensitive direction of this deceptively challenging and surprisingly satisfying film, keeps the tone perfectly balanced in the manner of perhaps an eccentric English tale with dashes of humour and pathos
A wondrous story about cats and dogs, fathers and sons and the elusive bottle of Hungarian Imperial Tokay that brings them all together, Dean Spanley is a rather special
The word offbeat doesnt quite cover it and its a touchslow to begin with but, really, if you dont fancy having your soul crushed byKeanu and co, do check this one out. Funny, warm and sensitive,its got gem written all over it.
Wilfully whimsical and determinedly eccentric, this faintly bonkers period tale won't be for everyone. But if you fall for Dean Spanley, you'll fall hard.
A charming, unique film, well crafted and boasting some great performances, notably from the spry Peter O'Toole.
I can't see too many children taking advantage of the U certificate. The measured performances look stiff and theatrical. A stifling fable with the rhythm of a grandfather clock.
This is a charming and eccentric little family comedy for the older generation. It's like a Werther's Original sweet that's for grandpa only.
Dean Spanley, adapted from a shaggy-dog tale by Lord Dunsany, is a decidedly odd business, a rummage in mothballed obscurantism for its own sake.
While Neill gives a masterclass in subtle eccentricity and Northam and Brown happily play second string, the theatricals are wisely left to legendary virtuoso O'Toole.
A redemptive arc leashes the threads together, hinged on insights into familial repression that are a tad too costumedrama-stifled for their own good.
I don't know of any film quite like Dean Spanley, and I mean that as a compliment. It will stay with me long after 99 per cent of this year's films have been forgotten.
Fisk's cantankerous father, played with biting wit by Peter O'Toole, is sceptical about reincarnation. Many will be tempted to agree with him, but for The Sneak this is a wonderful shaggy dog story.
In Dean Spanley Peter O'Toole, luminous of eye and loopy of intonation, acts as if he should be locked up. You have to admire the cut of his lunacy. He brings what little style there is to this winsome tale adapted from Lord Dunsany.
Audience Reviews for Dean Spanley (My Talks with Dean Spanley)
Super Reviewer
I tried watchng it 3 times and i still didnt get to the end as it really is my sort of movie!!
i liked it because the story is original and it is sweet and like the story but it was just a litltle boring for me!
It is funny in plces and sam neill is gorgouse as ever!!
Super Reviewer
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- Wrather: These little things were meant to try us, as the man said of the pigmi judge.
-
- Wrather: It has been a great pleasure, sir.
- Fisk Senior: You're very easily pleased.
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- Fisk Senior: Very handy, a Thursday, it keeps Wednesday and Friday from colliding.
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- Dean Spanley: Loved it, maybe not for main stream audiences but very enjoyable all the same.
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Latest News on Dean Spanley (My Talks with Dean Spanley)
January 29, 2008:
Exclusive: RT Visits the Set of Dean SpanleyWe take a trip to Holkam Hall in Norfolk, England to talk the transmigration of souls with Peter...
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Foreign Titles
- Dean Spanley (DE)
- Dean Spanley (UK)
