Have no problem with stylishness such as this in motion pictures. Director Schlesinger came through with a smartly fictionalised account of the Anthony Blunt scandal of the 1980s, based on a stage piece. The remarkable character that James Fox portrays as the erstwhile knighted art authority in the Royal scene is award-worthy. The repartee in most every set scene, put forth in reasonable verisimilitude, makes for an enjoyable experience, particularly in the impromptu exchange between Blunt and H. R. H. near the last act, but not only there; a second viewing would not be wholly untoward, as these characters might say. It truly is unfortunate that 'imdb' provides not the 'memorable quotes' that usually attend their movie titles, for interested parties curious about 'A Question for Attribution' to savor.
6 Reviews
A strong, witty, well written piece about a hidden self
runamokprods18 February 2013
A sort of follow up to Alan Bennet's "An Englishman Abroad", (also directed by John Schlesinger) which was about the spy Guy Burgess living in Moscow in 1951, I enjoyed this piece even more.
This piece of speculative fiction based in fact is also about an upper-class Englishman turned spy, Sir Anthony Blunt. James Fox is wonderful as Blunt, now returned to England, living with the promise of immunity, in exchange for being constantly, if not humorlessly badgered for information by the Secret Service.
Blunt is an art expert, professor and historian. At the same time he is being investigated by the government, who are trying to figure out who he really is underneath his mask, Blunt is doing the same to a painting, finding new faces that have been covered up in a renaissance work.
This might seem a very heavy handed symbol, but because Bennet's writing is so witty and deft, and because both the piece and the character acknowledge the obvious irony irony, it's actually quite effective.
The best section is when Blunt finds himself suddenly and surprisingly alone with the Queen herself (a terrific turn in a tough role by Prunella Scales), and the two have a chat about art, facts and other things that could indeed be an innocent talk, but seems more a very subtle game of cat and mouse between two very clever people. A very strong study of a fascinatingly ambiguous, often haughty, but somehow still likable man.
This piece of speculative fiction based in fact is also about an upper-class Englishman turned spy, Sir Anthony Blunt. James Fox is wonderful as Blunt, now returned to England, living with the promise of immunity, in exchange for being constantly, if not humorlessly badgered for information by the Secret Service.
Blunt is an art expert, professor and historian. At the same time he is being investigated by the government, who are trying to figure out who he really is underneath his mask, Blunt is doing the same to a painting, finding new faces that have been covered up in a renaissance work.
This might seem a very heavy handed symbol, but because Bennet's writing is so witty and deft, and because both the piece and the character acknowledge the obvious irony irony, it's actually quite effective.
The best section is when Blunt finds himself suddenly and surprisingly alone with the Queen herself (a terrific turn in a tough role by Prunella Scales), and the two have a chat about art, facts and other things that could indeed be an innocent talk, but seems more a very subtle game of cat and mouse between two very clever people. A very strong study of a fascinatingly ambiguous, often haughty, but somehow still likable man.
Not a fake
lumper5 March 1999
AQoA is not a fake, yet it fails to become a masterpiece either as a double mystery of identity unravels entangled in paintings and conspiracy. With more style than substance, though some engaging bits of dialog, the movie is well worth the rental price and is a great distraction. It fails, however, as often as it succeeds.
Another very clever Alan Bennett work which is very enjoyable
aussiebrisguy26 July 2006
Alan Bennett has done it again with A Question of Attribution. His writing is so very clever. James Fox is very good indeed as Sir Anthony Blunt. Prunella Scales is quite brilliant as HMQ. Jason Flemyng is also wonderful as Colin the cheeky Palace worker. Phillips the young student, played by Mark Payton, is also very good. Geoffrey Palmer is very clever as the corrupt Donleavy and David Calder is really in his element as Chubb. Ann Beach is suitably revolting as Mrs.Chubb and Barbara Hicks is in her element as the Lady at the National Gallery.I would highly recommend film this very much. It is real cloak and dagger stuff and also at times highly amusing.
Music
geraldgouriet-648-5312402 April 2013
I am delighted that my music for this film has been attributed to Handel ("Soundtrack: Overture to Judas Maccabeus") because John Schlesinger asked me to compose something in his style - the themes of the film being 'things that were not as they seemed' and 'incorrect attribution'. I have submitted a suggested correction - although the mistake is an amusing one, having in mind the title of the film.
I have checked the Handel and am pleased to report that I did not steal it (senza pizzicato = not pinched), less still rob it (senza rubato). Nor should it be taken as 'pastiche'. It was composition in the Baroque style, which is quite different.
Please forgive my rating of 10, but the music that someone took for Handel is rather good: (senza modesty).
Gerald Gouriet
I have checked the Handel and am pleased to report that I did not steal it (senza pizzicato = not pinched), less still rob it (senza rubato). Nor should it be taken as 'pastiche'. It was composition in the Baroque style, which is quite different.
Please forgive my rating of 10, but the music that someone took for Handel is rather good: (senza modesty).
Gerald Gouriet
Of fakes and enigmas
didi-522 November 2009
Alan Bennett's plays are strongly character driven and A Question of Attribution is no exception.
Like his earlier An Englishman Abroad, this focuses on spies, in this case Anthony Blunt, brilliantly played by James Fox, and his work as keeper of the Queen's pictures. The Queen herself is played by Prunella Scales who stays on the right side of caricature but makes HMQ warm and funny.
The play centres on the topic of fakes, of course mirroring the police investigation searching for the fifth man who worked alongside Blunt, Burgess, Philby and Maclean. Blunt is also investigating a Titian painting which isn't all it seems.
A good play, and typical Bennett.
Like his earlier An Englishman Abroad, this focuses on spies, in this case Anthony Blunt, brilliantly played by James Fox, and his work as keeper of the Queen's pictures. The Queen herself is played by Prunella Scales who stays on the right side of caricature but makes HMQ warm and funny.
The play centres on the topic of fakes, of course mirroring the police investigation searching for the fifth man who worked alongside Blunt, Burgess, Philby and Maclean. Blunt is also investigating a Titian painting which isn't all it seems.
A good play, and typical Bennett.
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