Fantabulosa! - The Kenneth Williams Story

Having read the Kenneth Williams Diaries (edited by Russell Davies) several years ago (one of the most honest and touching books I have ever read). I thought I would watch this and see how well it reflected the diaries and I am glad to say it does. Of course there is only so much of the 850+ page diary you can portray in a 1hr 17 mins film but overall the film makers do a good job. I already admired Martin Sheen's other famous people portrayals e. g. Tony Blair, Brian Clough (not to mention his many other acting roles) but here I was even more impressed with just how well he captures Williams. I also thought Cheryl Campbell puts in a good performance as Williams' mother. We often sentimentalise eccentricity without realising that it can mask deeper issues. Williams like many comic actors/comedians had a public funny persona but also a private problematic existence. It is a hard human being that does not feel sympathy for the tortured sexually ambivalent life he led, that was mixed with a sense of guilt and anguish. His life can be neatly divided into joyful ascent and sad descent. In the end he died far from the laughter as a sad, vulnerable and lonely man. This is a watchable film that is both compact and honest and packs a lot into a fairly short run time.

Did not feel the description 'witty and bright' reflected the tone of this film. A tragic depiction of an unfulfilled life might be more appropriate. fantastic acting as always by Michael Sheen, well supported by Cheryl Campbell. Well worth a view

Very engaging portrayal of a much loved comedian, and an interpretation of the real person behind the show. His mother is shown as a loving support who lifted him to the heights but perhaps created her own creature to make up for her unhappy marriage, and bound him to her in a way that limited his own ability to develop and love outside his affection for her. There is a suggestion that she had an influence in building his effeminate character, to give her a child who if not a girl was at least someone sufficiently different from her gruff male husband to be a companion in arms against him. Against this family background the focus is on how Kenneth tried to launch himself, as a new leaf on a tree rather than an old one dropping to the ground, had minor success in serious acting but then a period of greater success in comedy and money, before falling from fame and going back to his mother, never having really developed as a person in other relationships or even his acting career beyond the Carry On films and some radio appearances. The opportunities then dwindle to an occasional chat show and TV commercials until his agent tells him he is no longer unique and considered too expensive and difficult to find further roles. Behind this is the background of the times and homosexuality. Although the illegality of gay relationships at the time is not advertised, it is shown how Kenneth baulks against promiscuity in any relationship, fights against his own sexuality as a self weakness and commits to being a celibate actor rather than committing to any gay relationship, especially if this would damage his reputation and the only success he was enjoying in work at the time. A friendship with a homosexual couple which ends in a murder and a suicide also confirms him in this stance. A further theme is his lack of self-confidence and loathing of his own appearance, though he struggles with his own need to develop as a person in a relationship, and when he falls back into his relationship with his mother living next door you see a defensive yet frustrated ageing man, who has not developed himself according to his own will in his life, bound still to his mother. I was left wondering, from watching this film, whether Kenneth was really gay, or whether this and the personality he developed was a manic defense he created as a result of his family difficulties, to please the mother and create the protective force she needed against her own husband. Worth watching and see what you think.

Is there nothing or no one Michael Sheen cannot do ? This man is a genious actor. At times, watching this you're drawn into the real world of a troubled soul, a man who made countless millions laugh through the 60's, 70's and 80's. This BBC drama captures the real Kenneth Williams as seen through Sheen's eyes, a real masterpiece.

For me, there was too much fous on his homosexuality. There must have been more to the man than just his 'assignations' in parks. Definitely worth a look as the acting is superb and they have captured the period well.