MovieChat Forums > Peter's Friends (1992) Discussion > Fantastic - absolutely lovely

Fantastic - absolutely lovely

posted 21 years ago by A_dream_is_but_a_shadow
25 replies | jump to latest

Peter's Friends is a fantastic moving, directed perfectly by Kenneth Branagh although there was a lack of his trade-mark 'panning scenes'. The cast was great, although I felt that Rita Rudner was slightly weaker than the others. Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and of course Kenneth Branagh were fantastic, and the script was really funny.

And just for the benefit of some people, Kenneth Branagh's legs look better in fish-nets than any of the other men's - that is if you include Hugh Laurie as a man.

[–] runestone_tombraider 21 years ago

Why do I have a feeling that comment was directed at me?
Hugh Laurie's legs look better in fishnet's! Foul Branagh-lover, take your Shakespeare and choke on it! :-) Might I add that it is Branagh who is barely a man--- mutual friends agree that his legs are pale and flabby... whereas Hugh has nice slim, long legs! Huh!

I thought Rita Rudner was ok. Best acting probably went to Fry/Laurie/Branagh as you say, but most of them were fine. Excellent movie, of course.

"It's the most pointless book since How To Learn French was translated into French."
-Blackadder

[–] A_dream_is_but_a_shadow 21 years ago

I can say the same thing to you Foul-Orlando Bloom lover and take your Keats and choke on that!!!

Branagh's legs are good - not fantastic, but they are better than Hugh's which look like to ugly white sticks.

Yes, the best acting did go to that trio, althoughm I felt that Emma Thompson's character to quite good - and it showed me another side to her acting.

[–] runestone_tombraider 21 years ago

Hah! I will smite you with my T S Eliot!!! :-)

Excuse me, if HUGH's legs are white then what the hell are Branagh's? His legs are way paler and really fat and gross... huh! even Sez agreed with me on that... ew! Hugh has lovely slim legs! :-)

Hmmm Emma Thompson... you two get on quite well now after your new correspondance I suppose? :-)

"When I am King of England, no one will ever dare call me Shorty-Greasy-Spot-Spot again!"

[–] AND77 21 years ago

I love this movie!! When it came out, it got criticized here in the states for being a British version of The Big Chill, but i actually prefer Peter's Friends. Emma Thompson and Imelda Staunton were so good in this movie. It will always have a special place in my heart because it was the first time i saw some of these Brit actors (who are now among my favorites) anywhere.

[–] runestone_tombraider 21 years ago

do you include Hugh among your faves??? Would you like to add to the fishnets debate going on here? :-)

"No, that's just dried blood... THAT is his brain."

[–] AND77 21 years ago

Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie are among my FAVORITE Brit actors. Their show used to air here in the stated on Comedy Central, but that was years ago. Our local library has the entire Wooster and Jeeves collection on DVD, and I've seen all of them at least twice.
I would have to disagree with the poster who mentioned that Rita Rudner wasn't good in this movie; I thought she was a hilarious American foil to all the Brits in "Peter's Friends." I'm jealous of her because, as an American, it would be my dream to work on a set with all of those amazing, talented British comedians and actors.
Does anyone know what Fry and Laurie are up to these days? I know Stephen Fry is an accomplished writer and was in "Le Divorce," but what is Laurie up to?

[–] runestone_tombraider 21 years ago

Um, Hugh has just filmed a remake of the classic movie "The Flight of the Phoenix" which will be pretty good, I think. =)

Yes, of course, disagree with A_Dream_is_but_a_shadow! LOL yes I thought Rudner was good too. She was funny. But I think she was better in her comedic moments than her serious ones in the film.

Ohhh you are so lucky that your library has the whole J&W on DVD! Ours only has the 1st series! I'm seriously thinking about buying them all over the net because I loved the 1st so much. I'm a big fan of Wodehouse's writing too, are you?

I've only read the scripts from A Bit of Fry and Laurie, but it sounds hilarious. With those two as writers and actors, I don't see how it could NOT be. As you can tell, I love Hugh a lot - I also think his legs look a lot better than Kenneth Branagh's in fishnet stocking (in the opening scene of Peter's Friends)!!

"It wasn't me, it was my inner monkey"

[–] runestone_tombraider 21 years ago

Blah. I'm bored so I think I'll steal this whole board.
Anyone mind?

FOWL
GAYELF
Chaucerette of the SCS
The power of Stephen's stethoscope

[–] 21 years ago

[deleted]

[–] runestone_tombraider 21 years ago

Hi Phil!

(I think I sent you an email back but I can't remember)

Yes, isn't it a great movie? It's brilliant!
Ha, as for the legs I think Hugh's are superior!
Out of Kenneth Branagh and Hugh Laurie, the choice is simple.

FOWL
GAYELF
Chaucerette of the SCS
The power of Stephen's stethoscope

[–] AND77 21 years ago

I think i'm going to try to rent this movie this weekend - I haven't seen it in years! As for the fishnets debate, i will have to defer judgement until after another viewing of the film.
You guys are hilarious - I'm loving this discussion! :D

[–] tabaddon 21 years ago

It's on Sundance Channel in the States tonight. Check your local guide for time.

From a fortune cookie: "Be Quicker of Mind Than of Tongue"

[–] AND77 21 years ago

I rented it, and enjoyed it every bit as much as I used to! Such a great movie, and I will agree with whoever said that Hugh Laurie looked the best in fishnets - absolutely no contest.
I also noticed the casting similarities between "Peter's Friends" and "Sense and Sensibility." I know that there are a lot fewer British actors working than American actors, but dear LORD! Phyllida Law, Emma Thompson, Hugh Laurie, Imelda Staunton...I'm guessing they're all good friends. Or were at the time.

[–] DePenth 21 years ago

Two words - Cambridge. Footlights.

Hugh, Emma and Stephen (at least) were all at Cambridge together, I think. Hence the film isn't really fictional at all (!).

Stephen in fishnets is wrong. The man deserves too much respect.

[–] 21 years ago

[deleted]

[–] tabaddon 21 years ago

They're like the Rat Pack, the Brat Pack, the Brad Pack, or any other group that often works together. To look at the most popular American movies of the '80s, one might think there was only a handful of working American actors at the time. ; )

From a fortune cookie: "Be Quicker of Mind Than of Tongue"

[–] 21 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mmitsos-1 16 years ago

They were the Brit Pack, I guess. I love all of them, especially Emma.

[–] runestone_tombraider 20 years ago

and I will agree with whoever said that Hugh Laurie looked the best in fishnets - absolutely no contest.

Damn straight, AND77! Hugh's legs rule in fishnets!

*drools*

Anyhow, it's lovely to see some people talking about this movie at last.
You know what I think is really funny: Emma Thompson had with her on this movie, her boyfriend at the time (Branagh), her ex boyfriend (Hugh), her mother (Law), and her long-time friend (Fry).
Scary, huh?

FOWL, GAYELF
Chaucerette of the SCS
Stephen/Jude!!!!

[–] peteandurnot 19 years ago

Phyllida Law is actually Emma Thompsons real-life Mum. You can definitely see the similarities when you see them together.

[–] peteandurnot 19 years ago

"Does anyone know what Fry and Laurie are up to these days? I know Stephen Fry is an accomplished writer and was in "Le Divorce," but what is Laurie up to? "

Hugh Laurie is now the main Star character in an American TV series called House MD. I haven't yet seen it but the First series was allegedly very successful.

[–] IridescentTranquility 20 years ago

I just borrowed this from the library at uni, and - despite all the negative comments I've read on here - I really liked it. I'd never heard of it till a couple of years ago when I was searching for the lyrics to Tears For Fears' Everybody Wants To Rule The World, but as a film I like it. I notice a lot of people are criticising it because the cast are so well known and have appeared in films that they think are better. Wouldn't it be good if people could just evaluate a film on its own merits, rather than comparing it to other films that featured members of the cast?

The eyes are open, the mouth moves, but Mr. Brain has long since departed, hasn't he, Perce?

[–] AND77 20 years ago

I was recently given a DVD copy of Sense and Sensibility, and watched it with the commentary by Emma Thompson. I believe she says that she, Hugh Laurie, and Imelda Staunton are neighbors.
What an amazing feeling it must be to stay in touch with your close group of college friends and see practically all of them become famous!

[–] ah_cynicism 17 years ago

I love this film and agree with most of the comments here, although I can't say I've paid much attention to Kenneth Branagh's legs. I think it was superbly acted and so I don't think anyone in it is a weak link, the plot fits together nicely and the screenplay is well written

I am, however, at a loss as to why nobody has yet mentioned the marvellousness of Tony Slattery. He was so sweet as the idiotic Brian and very touching during his final couple of scenes. Certain bedroom scenes were worth watching too, if you know what I mean ;)

[–] DarrenDirt 17 years ago

WOW. I remember when this movie came out, I had no idea who the briliant "Fry and Laurie" were... And to also now notice that Rita Rudner was a co-writer.

I'm in my mid-thirties now. I suspect this is a "must-rent" title at this point in my life. :)

- - -

Chipping away at a mountain of pop culture trivia,
Darren Dirt.