Stuart: A Life Backwards (2007)

About Stuart: A Life Backwards

"Stuart: A Life Backwards" is a biographical television drama film directed by David Attwood. The film beautifully narrates a real-life story unfolding in reverse from adulthood to childhood, thus giving an insightful and unconventional view of the complex life of Stuart Shorter, a homeless person with disabilities and sociopath characteristics.

Making / Production

This film was initially a book written by Alexander Masters. Later, its screenplay was adapted by Alexander Masters himself, along with David Attwood, the director of the movie. BBC and HBO jointly produced this film, which was primarily shot in Cambridge and London.

Actors

• Benedict Cumberbatch as "Alexander Masters": He delivered a persuasive performance of an advocate and author who befriends Stuart.
• Tom Hardy as "Stuart Shorter": Hardy's compellingly raw and emotional portrayal of this complex and layered character was highly praised.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film is based on a real-life story of Stuart Shorter, a homeless man from Cambridge, UK.
• Tom Hardy won the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor for his role as Stuart Shorter.
• The narrative structure of the movie is presented in reverse, starting from Stuart's adulthood going back to his childhood.

Awards

The film won several awards, including the British Academy Television Award for Best Single Drama and British Academy Television Award for Best Actor, which was awarded to Tom Hardy.

Quotes

• "People only get better by altering their core of being. And that's hard to do." - Stuart Shorter
• "I've been remade fourteen times and look at the state of me." - Stuart Shorter

Music, Soundtrack

• The haunting music score was composed by Robert Lane and adds ambience to the gritty narrative.
• The film is not accompanied by a mainstream soundtrack or original songs, opting to keep the focus on the story and the performances.