Product: Beau Brummell - This Charming Man (2006)
Rating: 4.0
The Dandy versus the FOP
"Beau Brummell: This Charming Man" is a brief, romantic look into the life of the man who finally changed the ridiculous attire that had been a tradition for many years of wearing a powdered wig, make up and stockings to a new form of appearance, later known as the "Dandy". This consisted of a ruffled shirt, overcoat, trousers, high boots and top hat and cane in the traditional "Dickensian" manner to which we as audiences are accustomed to gaze upon.There is something about this film and I believe that it is the lively musical score, which fits the film perfectly and encourages a certain "pace" about it.His influence over George IV to accept the "Dandy" look as the new "manly" form of gentlemen's dress essentially turned the tide of fashion history. Although Brummell himself is an extremely flawed and immoral character, we tend to accept his faults.What is unbelievable but true is that people used to pay to watch him dress in the morning, which could take several hours, in order to understand the nature of the fashion revolution that was upon them.Recommended as a very different departure from the usual. There is a funny "confrontation" scene where two "FOPS" meet Brummell and his Servant dressed as "Dandys". They mutually insult each otherand break out into "fisticuffs" but the "Dandy" wins easily due to the greater mobility in their new threads! Lead actor Purefoy is a pleasure to watch!