Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

I just finished watching the Dresser and I found it to be very theatrical. I was very pleased with all the acting and the emotions all through the film. The story it self is very heart feeling. The actors were so believable to their place. I also enjoy the music that came with the acting. There were some very small funny parts that had me truly laughing. It brought me into a world of ones passion for the art of play. The colorful film by all means had me focus on the story. Great film and act.

one of great roles of Tom Courtenay. and a splendid performance of Albert Finney. a film about Shakespeare, theater, sacrifice, need of the other and circle of life. touching. and powerful. a play who, in this adaptation, seems be a kind of parable. because not only the acting is brilliant but the atmosphere soul. a world. like an iceberg. and nuances of sacrifice as only reality. a good film. and little more. because it has the rare gift not only impress but reflect hided places of each life. the actor. and the dresser. and a subtle touching fight. against yourself and against the other. that is all. so, it is not a bad idea to see it ! not only as old movie. but as a rare gem about the things who are really important.

The heart of this film is about character interactions, however it is so much so that the storyline feels neglected. There is not much of a story to it, and even with the interactions in focus, they often land up in simple bickering and/or shouting matches. Still, some witty lines keep the film reasonably brisk, and although too limited, the insights into wartime rations and attitudes, as well as stage production, are relatively interesting. Courtenay and Finney both have some fine moments on screen, however they both overplay their roles here and there, especially Courtenay towards the end. There is an intriguing - albeit too infrequently played - score too, and in general the film is filled with little virtues. But they are not quite enough to make a brilliant piece of cinema overall.

'The Dresser' is one of those films which are so perfect you really struggle to find something not to like about them. Written by Ronald Harwood (himself a former dresser to the legendary Donald Wolfit), it sparkles with energy and true love of life behind the footlights.As 'Sir', the overbearing actor and main focus of the play, Albert Finney is a joy to watch - whether complaining about the lack of a storm during the 'blow, winds ...' bit of 'King Lear' or chatting to his faithful stage manager, Madge (Eileen Atkins, good as ever) about the old times. As Norman, his camp dresser, Tom Courtenay gives a fabulous performance, wiggling around at the beck and call of 'Lear', collecting a bottle to go at the pub, or bitchily disparaging the former Fool, Mr Davenport-Scott (often mentioned, but never seen!).In an engaging support cast, there's Edward Fox as Oxenby (a typical arrogant second lead), Zena Walker as her Ladyship, Lockwood West as the replacement Fool, and many others.This film has great energy, bringing with it some of the greasepaint of its stage origins, it is true, but being so well-acted you don't notice. Very well done indeed.