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Duet for One

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Duet for One
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAndrei Konchalovsky
Written byTom Kempinski (play and screenplay)
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAlex Thomson
Edited byHenry Richardson
Music byMichael Bishop
Distributed byGolan-Globus Productions Ltd.
Release date
  • 25 December 1986 (1986-12-25)[1]
Running time
107 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Box office$8,736 [2]

Duet for One is a 1986 British drama film adapted from the play, a two-hander by Tom Kempinski, about a world-famous concert violinist named Stephanie Anderson who is suddenly struck with multiple sclerosis.[3] It is set in London, and directed by Andrei Konchalovsky. The story was, at the time of the premiere of the play, assumed to be based on the life of cellist Jacqueline du Pré, who was diagnosed with MS, and her husband, conductor Daniel Barenboim, but Kempinski has stated that the subject of the play was a cathartic explosion of his own anxieties and depression.[4]

Synopsis

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Stephanie Anderson, a world-famous violinist, becomes unable to play because of multiple sclerosis. A depressed psychiatrist she sees is unable to help with her rage and frustration. Her star pupil, realizing he will learn nothing more, leaves her. Her husband departs with his young secretary, and her accompanist dies. Her fierce desire to be alone in her pain alienates everybody except her faithful maid. She gives all her musical effects to a totter (an itinerant scrap merchant), who she asks into her bed as well. Watching a videotape of a concert triumph, she takes an overdose but the maid breaks in to try and save her. In an epilogue, which may be a dream, the psychiatrist has become a friend while her ex-husband and former pupil come back to see her, as does the ghost of her accompanist.

Primary cast

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Reception

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The film gained positive reviews.[6][7][8]

Awards

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Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Role: Julie Andrews (Nominated)[9]

Stage play

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Duet for One premiered at the Bush Theatre in 1980 with Frances de la Tour and David de Keyser in the leading roles. Kempinski and de la Tour were married at the time, and he wrote the role with her in mind. It had a successful run in the West End. The Broadway version, starring Anne Bancroft and Max von Sydow, opened 17 December 1981, and ran until 2 January 1982, for a total of 20 performances.[10] A major revival was staged by the Almeida Theatre in 2009, starring Juliet Stevenson and Henry Goodman. This revival too was lauded by the critics, and it subsequently transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre in the West End.[11]

In 2023 a new production was staged at the Orange Tree Theatre, in the production the gender of Dr. Feldman was switched. Actress Maureen Beattie played the psychiatrist with Tara Fitzgerald as Stephanie.[12]

References

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  1. ^ "Alphabetical Movie Index, A-Z". Boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  2. ^ Duet for One at Box Office Mojo
  3. ^ Christon, Lawrence (23 May 1985). "The Diminuendo Of 'Duet For One' - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  4. ^ Coveney, Michael (21 August 2023). "Tom Kempinski obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  5. ^ Mitchell, Laura R. (2 August 2007). "Clarifying A Few Facts About Ms, 'Duet For One' - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  6. ^ Thomas, Kevin (25 December 1986). "Movie Review: 'Duet For One': A Four-hankie Drama Of The Past - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  7. ^ Maslin, Janet (13 February 1987). "Movie Review - Duet For One - FILM: 'DUET FOR ONE' - NYTimes.com". Movies.nytimes.com. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  8. ^ Ebert, Roger (20 September 2013). "Duet for One Movie Review & Film Summary (1987)". Roger Ebert. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  9. ^ "Welcome to nginx eaa1a9e1db47ffcca16305566a6efba4!185.15.56.1". news.google.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  10. ^ Sullivan, Dan (23 February 1985). "Stage Review: A Gripping Duel For Two In 'Duet For One' - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  11. ^ Michael Billington (30 January 2009). "Theatre review: Duet For One / Almeida, London | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  12. ^ Theatre, Orange Tree. "DUET FOR ONE | What's On". orangetreetheatre.co.uk. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
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