An involving, worthwhile film about high-class snobbery is as evasive as an objective Michael Moore speech. It is a subject that is inherently tedious, and even though there has never been a thoroughly captivating movie made about it (and Robert Altman's grotesquely over-praised \Gosford Park"" does not count), a handful of these dreary flicks are churned out each year. The irrelevant, unwanted comedy of manners of 2004 happens to be actor Stephan Fry's directorial debut ""Bright Young Things,"" an energetic but unquestionably dull adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's novel of the same name.
""Bright Young Things"" depicts the elitist party scene in 1930s London, and evaluates it through the eyes of Adam Symes (Stephen Campbell Moore), a penniless writer with inexplicably plentiful social connections. His novel (itself titled ""Bright Young Things"") concerning the ridiculously wealthy youth-centered party culture is confiscated early on because of vague reasons pertaining to censorship, and he is forced to raise money by writing for a gossipy newspaper. Symes is courting affluent Nina (Emily Mortimer), but finds it necessary to raise a substantial amount of money before marrying her-and of course, his various attempts are thwarted.
In between decadent parties and pseudo-witty exchanges between Symes and miscellaneous ""bright young things,"" murky subplots are introduced and resolved, monotonous romance is put to the test and loud snoring is audible in the theatre.
To writer-director Fry's credit, he does struggle to punch up the film with lively camerawork and a considerable fast pace (at least for this kind of movie). A garish soiree complete with red lights and elaborate costumes is staged over the opening credits, and the fluid camera roves ceaselessly from one unappealing character to another throughout. There is even a memorable scene in which a libelous newspaper article is published about a party, and its lies are heard by voiceover as we witness the relatively tame gathering taking place. But even so, ""Chicago"" tackled this media sensationalist theme with more style and gusto. Though it is effectively presented here, it is nonetheless redundant.
All that registers are too-brief cameos by seasoned veterans (Jim Broadbent as a perpetually drunk officer and Peter O'Toole as Nina's loopy snob father) as the rest of the acting is essentially bland or over-the-top. Moore is a humdrum central character, Mortimer has nothing interesting to do as the token love interest, and Dan Aykroyd (as Moore's sleazy editor) does nothing to make us forget that his last sizeble cinematic role was as Britney Spears' dad in ""Crossroads.""
""Bright Young Things"" is a competently made film, but it too often oscillates between rare instances of sly satire and zany, shrill farce.
Waugh's trenchant theme of lower-class envy begetting insatiable curiosity only comes out in fits and starts, as Fry is too busy trying to pack in as much plot and extraneous characters as he can. Overly written and performed but capably directed, ""Bright Young Things"" does not quite sink to the depths of Merchant Ivory hell, but frequently comes close.
