A Handful of Dust

"It's a long fall from high society"

Jun 24 1988 PG 1h 58m
Drama, Romance

English aristocrat Tony Last welcomes tragedy into his life when he invites John Beaver to visit his vast estate. There Beaver makes the acquaintance of Tony's wife, Brenda. Together, they continue their relationship in a series of bedroom assignations in London. Trusting to a fault, Tony is unaware that anything is amiss until his wife suddenly asks for a divorce. With his life in turmoil, Tony goes on a haphazard journey to South America.

Plot

We see the detritus of an abandoned camp in South America and a main character's hallucination. Then, the story begins. Tony (James Wilby) and Brenda Last (Dame Kristin Scott Thomas), lord and lady, live on his enormous estate with their young son. Tony's not much for parties, and Brenda joins London society, on the arm of a penniless man, John Beaver (Rupert Graves), a hanger-on at Tony's club. John is encouraged by his entrepreneurial mother, Mrs. Beaver (Dame Judi Dench), who sees a quid in Tony and Brenda. Brenda and John become lovers, Brenda spends more and more time in London, and Tony's without a clue. Then, bringing things to a head are tragedy, law suits, greed, and what should be a few-months' expedition to Brazil. We are each of us merely a handful of dust.

Written by

Evelyn Waugh, Tim Sullivan, Derek Granger

Directed by

Charles Sturridge

Cast

James Wilby, Kristin Scott Thomas, Richard Beale

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United Kingdom

Production Companies

Handful of Dust, Compact Yellowbill, LWT, Stagescreen Productions

Languages

English

Awards

Nominated for 1 Oscar. 3 wins & 4 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
2,489
Average Rating
6.6 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA