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Another CountryThe defection of Anthony Burgess and his pro-Communist counterpart Kim Philby provides the basis for Another Country. Adapted by Julian Mitchell from his play of the same name, Rupert Everett stars as Guy Bennett, who finds life in a public school in the 1930s an alienating experience. While his classmates embrace the system, the gay Bennett kicks against it.
His rebellion is far quieter and less fervent than that of Marx-obsessed pupil Tommy Judd (Firth). As he learns that the Establishment has as little use for homosexuals as it does for Communists, Bennett finds himself favouring the hammer and sickle over the old school tie.
Soured only by a pointless prologue, Another Country is the impressive debut feature of Marek Kanievska, a British TV director - he shot episodes of 'Shoestring' and 'Hazell' - whose CV has since swelled to include such diverting films as the Brett Easton Ellis adaptation Less Than Zero and the underrated Paul Newman film Where The Money Is. The sort of production that is crying out to be described as handsomely mounted, Kanievska's film is notable for its intelligent script and frank approach to homosexuality.
As for the leads, it's as much a joy to see Rupert Everett playing it straight (so to speak) as it is to find Colin Firth being more than suave or broody. Indeed, before Mr Darcy came along, Firth excelled at playing uptight outsiders. He's certainly very good as Judd, a performance that's all the more impressive for being his cinematic debut.
Everett's Bennett, on the other hand, will surprise anyone only familiar with his recent work as unthreatening gay friend in films like My Best Friend's Wedding. There was a time when Everett was tipped to be the next big thing in British cinema, a prediction Another Country supports.
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