A Handful of Dust **** (1988, James Wilby, Kristin Scott Thomas, Rupert Graves, Anjelica Huston, Judi Dench, Alec Guinness, Stephen Fry) – Classic Movie Review 2641

Director Charles Sturridge, who directed 11 episodes of the 1981 classic TV mini-series Brideshead Revisited, tackles another of Evelyn Waugh’s novels for the big screen in 1988.

This sleek and satisfying film version of Waugh’s 1934 A Handful of Dust stars James Wilby, Kristin Scott Thomas and Rupert Graves, who are ideally cast and on excellent form.

Wilby plays the starchy husband and Scott Thomas the selfish wife Tony and Brenda Last, an aristocratic couple whose marriage is on the rocks. While Tony carries on living on their huge estate with their young son, Brenda joins London society on the arm of a penniless man, John Beaver (Graves), and they become lovers.

Plus there are scene-stealing stellar appearances from Anjelica Huston (as Mrs Ratterby), Judi Dench (who won a Bafta award as Best Supporting Actress), Alec Guinness, Stephen Fry and Graham Crowden.

The screenplay (by Sturridge, Tim Sullivan and the producer Derek Granger) effectively conveys the drama, Waugh’s ironies and the appeal of the story. And thanks to Eileen Diss’s meticulous and lovely production designs, there’s an extremely handsome, plush production rich in 1930s atmosphere. Jane Robinson was Oscar nominated for Best Costume Design.

Wilby and Graves play love rivals but they played lovers in the previous year’s Merchant-Ivory film Maurice (1987).

The Duke of Norfolk allowed the film-makers to shoot at his home, and also appears as the gardener touching his forelock respectfully to Mrs Ratterby.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2641

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