An Englishman in New York

2009 1h 15m EN

😐

6.4

MID

★6.4TMDB · 43

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Biographical drama based on the last 20 years of Crisp's life. The literary figure and gay iconoclast emigrated to New York in 1981 and lived there until his death. The film observes Crisp in both his public and private lives, from his seemingly cavalier response to the outbreak of AIDS to his tender relationship with his friend Patrick Angus and his own response to growing old.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

John Hurt
Quentin Crisp
Denis O'Hare
Phillip Steele
Jonathan Tucker
Patrick Angus
Cynthia Nixon
Penny Arcade
Swoosie Kurtz
Connie Clausen
Jeff Applegate
Journalist
Silver Bramham
Orlando
Twinkle Burke
Audience Member #3

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Richard Laxton
Writers: Brian Fillis
Languages: German, English
Countries: United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 75-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 17 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: German, English.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "Quentin Crisp Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Richard Laxton, shot by Yaron Orbach. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Paul Englishby. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor William Chetwynd shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

John Hurt and Denis O'Hare and Jonathan Tucker carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Richard Laxton directs. Yaron Orbach behind the camera. Paul Englishby scores. William Chetwynd cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom. Dialogue in German, English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 75-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
2Released 17 years ago.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: German, English.
4Part of the "Quentin Crisp Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
5Directed by Richard Laxton, shot by Yaron Orbach. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Paul Englishby. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor William Chetwynd shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8John Hurt and Denis O'Hare and Jonathan Tucker carry the top of the cast.
9IMDB entry: tt0997057 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Only 43 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Yaron Orbach
Original score: Paul Englishby
Editing: William Chetwynd
Stunt coordinator: Roy Farfel
Runtime: 75 min · 1h 15m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: An Englishman in New York (2009)

Part of

Quentin Crisp Collection

The life and death of Quentin Crisp (1908 - 1999).

Also by

Richard Laxton

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

CinemaSerf2024-06-05
★ 7/10
Quentin Crisp (John Hurt) has tired of Blighty and arrived in New York where he quickly becomes a successful part of the theatre scene with his unique blend of monologue followed by a Q&A from the audience. Befriending "Philip" (Denis O'Hare) and promoted by "Connie" (Swoosie Kurtz) he is the talk of the town, until he commits a faux pas when responding to a question about the newly developing AIDS epidemic. His refusal to apologise or recant led him to fall from favour. He was increasingly rejected by a grieving gay community to whom he struggled to relate. His sardonic and aloof self defence mechanisms making it almost impossible for him to explain or say sorry. There's still one corner for him to turn, though, as he inspires the infected artist Patrick Angus (Jonathan Tucker) which in turns sees him back on stage, this time in a two-hander with "Penny Arcade" (Cynthia Nixon). Back in the spotlight, he realises that his hernia is the least of his worries, that time is running out and maybe now some new perspective is required. Hurt owns this part, and building on our introduction to this man from 1975, entertainingly delivers a performance that marries his realism and cynicism in a very stoic but ultimately very empty fashion. He lived into his nineties a wealthy and celebrated man, but did he ever actually enjoy his life - or really appreciate the joy of being loved, either?

Production companies