The Dresser Movie Review

The Dresser (1983)

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Written by: Ronald Harwood 
Directed by: Peter Yates
Starring: Albert Finney, Tom Courtenay, Edward Fox
Rated: PG
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Plot
Personal assistant Norman struggles to get deteriorating veteran actor Sir through a difficult performance of King Lear.

Verdict
This explores a codependent relationship. Sir is the man on stage that gets the applause, but Norman is the one reason that Sir even makes it on stage. Norman does nearly everything for Sir and considers them a team, though we see that Sir takes him for granted. It's only towards the end of the film that it's made clear to Norman. He realizes he was completely wrong in his assessment about their bond. Norman put in the effort while Sir coasted on the reputation as an actor he's built over the years.
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Review
Set during World War II, a traveling acting troupe opens the movie performing Shakespeare's Othello. We have this bombastic older actor only known as "Sir" (Albert Finney). As soon as the play ends he barks orders and points out flaws. His hapless dresser Norman (Tom Courtenay) acts as his servant, cleaning up after him.

Albert Finney, Tom Courtenay play Sir, Norman

I wondered if Sir has dementia. He manages to walk into the next town's square where he rants and raves until Norman calms him down. The troupe has a play that night, and Norman is working hard to get Sir coherent enough for the play. It's not an easy task.

Why is Norman there? Maybe at one time he took pride in assisting this great actor. Now it's a relationship that long should have ended. Maybe they both are holding on to better times, when Sir was still a great actor instead of coasting on who he used to be. As out of sorts as Sir was, Norman has pulled him together and targeted his focus surprisingly well. Now Sir is discharging orders and insulting the cast. He's quite self centered, and I suppose this is an exploration of two co-dependent people. Norman got to feel important by helping Sir. They're past the point of Sir being important, but now he relies on Norman just to function.

Albert Finney plays Sir

The plays do well enough, but I continued to wonder how good Sir used to be. Is that what intrigued Norman? Are they both just holding on to the past? The movie has this dynamic of what's in front of and behind the curtain. To the audience Sir is still this great actor. Outside of shows he relies fully on Norman just to function. Norman is this unknown force that holds the troupe together by keeping Sir on track. As devoted as Norman is to Sir, it's not reciprocated. Sir requests that Norman read him the notes for a memoir he's begun. Norman doesn't even get a mention. All he does for Sir, holding him together, ensuring he still makes it on stage, and Sir doesn't appreciate him. Sir doesn't acknowledge the sacrifices Norman has made. That's the moment Norman realizes that as much as he thinks about Sir, Sir never thinks about him.