An upper-crust British marriage comes undone in this dark comedy, starring Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient) in her breakthrough role. Brenda and Tony Last (James Wilby, Maurice) spend their days flitting between social engagements and renovating their monstrous mansion in the country. But when Brenda begins an affair with an idle young rake (Rupert Graves, The Forsyte Saga), their apparent life of ease takes a tragic turn.
The year is 1932 and Tony and Brenda Last (James Wilby and Kristin Scott Thomas), a devoted and attractive couple with one son, John Andrew, appear to live an idyllic life in the huge Victorian Gothic house which is the symbol of Tony’s family pride. One weekend they inadvertently play host to John Beaver (Rupert Graves), an idle young socialite. It is the chance arrival of this penniless scrounger which irrevocably shatters the gentle balance of their lives.
Adapted from Evelyn Waugh’s Jazz Age satire, A Handful of Dust is a brutal story of a failed marriage with shattering consquences. James Wilby stars as a country gentleman, Tony Last, who loves rattling around his expansive estate, Hetton Abbey. Tony’s wife, Brenda (Kristin Scott Thomas), however, pines for London’s excitement and commences an affair in the city with penniless aristocrat John Beaver (Rupert Graves). The fallout of Brenda’s betrayal includes a family tragedy and creative divorce settlement ultimately undone when fed-up Tony goes on a naturalist trek through Brazil and becomes the hostage of a mad, illiterate explorer (Alec Guinness). One might wonder whether it’s more appropriate to laugh or tremble at these events, and director Charles Sturridge’s handsome, graceful production ingeniously accomodates the story’s streaks of dark comedy and horror. With brief, memorable supporting roles for Anjelica Huston and Stephen Fry. –Tom Keogh
Starring Kristin Scott Thomas, James Wilby, Rupert Graves, Anjelica Huston, Judi Dench, Alec Guinness.