A One Mann’s Movies review of “Elsinore”. (From the 2026 London Film Festival). (2026, 5*, NR).
I was truly fortunate, a few years ago, to have the chance to watch Andrew Scott perform Hamlet on the West End stage. I’ve seen this Shakespeare play performed more than any other, but this performance is lodged in my mind as the pinnacle of the craft. So it was that I was gagging with excitement to see Elsinore – a film covering the last months of the life of Chariots of Fire actor Ian Charleson who died of AIDS while struggling to perform the famous work at the National Theatre. And I was not disappointed. This was a film of majesty.
I correctly predicted the Best Actress Oscar for Jessie Buckley after seeing Hamnet at last year’s LFF. Now, I am also predicting that Andrew Scott will be holding the Best Actor Oscar at next year’s ceremony. You read it here first.
One Mann’s Movies Rating:
Plot:
It’s 1989. Ian Charleson (Andrew Scott) is a gay man living a full life in London with the devastation of AIDS chopping down young men all around him. But – after a bizarre exit by another famous thespian – he gets the chance to play Hamlet at the National Theatre, a dream job for him. But as he starts to rehearse the play, a small lesion appears on his face.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (This film has not yet received a classification by the BBFC, but I would expect it to be a 15 based on scenes of homosexual intercourse and strong language.)
Talent:
Starring: Andrew Scott, Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn, Luke Thompson, Monica Dolan, David Dawson, Juliet Stevenson, Georgie Glen, Peter Mullan.
Directed by: Simon Stone.
Written by: Stephen Beresford. (Based on an idea by Ethan Silverman).
Running Time: 1h 51m.
Review:
Positives:
- It’s almost unbelievable to think how appalling it must have been to have been a gay man (and indeed, anyone who needed blood transfusions etc.) around that time, with the spectre of HIV and AIDS hanging over them constantly. At the time it WAS a death sentence, with none of the Antiretroviral therapy drugs that we have today to manage the condition. We see in the film that Ian Charleson (Andrew Scott) wants to keep his diagnosis a complete secret (“it’s a sinus complaint”) because public fear and discrimination was rife… even though this is a year after Princess Di’s famous hand-shake and hug of a hospital AIDS patient. A doctor examining Charleson washes his hands as he leaves the office: “you’ve already done that once” Ian comments, in a wonderfully dry and telling exchange.
- In 1978, when this film is set, the gay population was at least aware of the problem and could take measures to protect themselves. We see a couple of ‘nuns’ (of the male persuasion) handing out free condoms to the people exiting a gay club: “If they weareth not the glove” they say “they gaineth not the love”. Ian Charleson (Andrew Scott) and his friend Georgie (Luke Thompson) take one each but are not planning that: “I don’t want cock.” says Georgie, “I want carrot cake”.
- This is just one of the examples of the sort of gallows humour that pervades the film and which actually makes it laugh-out-loud funny at times. Outside the gay club, Ian meets ‘Derek’ (who I see from the credits is Derek Jarman… he of the production design for The Devils which I only just reviewed). He has already come out as HIV positive to the country (one of the first celebrities to so do). Derek gives Ian a piece of sea holly saying “It’s dark and spiky and very difficult to kill”. (Jarman actually went on to live another 6 years.)
- But I’ve avoided the main positive for too long. This is Andrew Scott’s film. He is simply magnificent in the role, A later face-to-face argument with Derek Jarman – a jaw-dropping bit of acting – will probably be the one used for the showreel that will accompany his undoubted Best Actor Oscar nomination listing. Sometimes Scott doesn’t need to even say a word: his acting during a chemotherapy session is exquisite. The part written for him allows him to rage at his condition but also use his dry Scottish wit to disarm people. In talking about that chemo session, he refers to cancer patients as “Spoiled bastards. Compared to AIDS, it’s a walk in the park”. And when he turns up at the hospital to find Georgie in bed, he drily comments “Well, this is attention seeking”. Whilst I’m sure there will be competition from others, including John Malkovich (for Wild Horse Nine which I am seeing at the LFF on Friday), I find it impossible to think that they will come close to Scott in terms of the Academy voting. We will see. But I called it for Buckley – I’m now calling it for Scott.
- The problem with such a star-turn, as this is, is that it puts others in the shade. But there are some terrific supporting parts in the film too. National treasure Olivia Colman is marvellously clipped as AIDS specialist and trailblazer Dr Margaret Johnson; Johnny Flynn is the Hamlet director Richard Eyre; Billie Piper – with truly wild hair – is Ian’s casting director best friend Patsy; and an unrecognisable Monica Dolan (it was an “oh!” moment in the end credits) plays the front-desk guardian at the National Theatre, full of pithy comments. To Charleson she says, referring to the play, “See if you can bring it in under 3 hours will you… I don’t like the night bus and I’ve got a nervous cat”! I also must call out simply marvellous turns by the wonderful Peter (I Swear) Mullan and Georgie Glen who play Ian’s father and mother respectively. Heartbreaking scenes. And – blink and you’ll miss him – watch out for Nigel Havers in a cameo as one of the hospital patrons.
- The script (by Simon Beresford, who I notice wrote Pride from 2014) very cleverly interleaves the scenes of the rehearsal of Hamlet into the events going on in his personal life, letting you fully appreciate – given how much Hamlet wallows in death and morbid thoughts – how closely the themes run in parallel.
- Will this film move you? It certainly did me. I’m afraid I was in bits at the end. Take tissues!
Negatives:
- As a balance to my positive comments, I watched this with ‘On’ Bashar from the Movie Bread Club podcast and he remained unmoved by the ending. He said that he felt manipulated by the script that wanted him to be emotional at the end and so he resisted it entirely. (I think he felt the same way about Hamnet too.) So, if Hamnet didn’t get to you, then this one might not either!
Summary Thoughts:
As you might perceive, I absolutely loved this one… an easy 5 stars for me, and one that will rocket into my Films of the Year list, very high up in the rankings (although, depending on release dates, it might actually need to be in next year’s list).
Does anyone know where I can put a bet on for Andrew Scott to win Best Actor? Message me if you do!
Where to watch?
Trailer:
The trailer for the film is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzopCeFAWF0.
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