Tipping the Velvet (2002)

Very disappointing...

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

From 2002, "Tipping the Velvet" is an adaption of a novel by Sarah Walters. It's the story of Nancy Astley (Rachel Stirling), who works with her family in their oyster house. She has a boyfriend (played by no less than Benedict Cumberbatch) and can't understand why she doesn't feel anything when he kisses her. I certainly didn't.One day she sees the performance of a male impersonator, Kitty Butler (Keeley Hawes) and falls madly in love with her. The two women become friends, and Nan accompanies Kitty as her dresser, never letting on that she's in love with her. Finally she learns the feeling is mutual and embarks on her first affair.Alas, it doesn't work out. Nancy continues her journey of self- knowledge, dressing as a boy and servicing men in alleys, becoming the kept boy of a wealthy lesbian, meeting a young woman, Flo, and finding her so honest and sweet that she can't bear to tell her what she really does.I wouldn't call this a lesbian love story, although that was done I suppose to get people watching. It's a beautifully done production with excellent acting. I think it's the story of a woman finding herself and incorporating who she is into her life.Keeley Hawes is always a delight, as she is here. Stirling sings better, and the two, when performing on stage together, do a very good act. Stirling is excellent but I don't think she would ever be mistaken for a boy. According to those who read the book, Nan could be taken for a man quite easily. There were also complaints from those who read the book about the character of Flo (Jodhi May) - since I didn't read it, I don't know. I thought the character as portrayed in this miniseries was well acted.Also as others have pointed out, with homosexual acts against the law, it's unlikely men would have been standing on the street waiting for a hustler. I get the impression that people - men and women - would have been more discreet than they seemed in this show."Tipping the Velvet" holds one's interest, is pretty look at, and full of distinctive characters.

I found it quite enjoyable, I'm really glad the BBC have made this series happen. Again, I applaud them for airing great television series like this. The costumes that Rachel Stirling had on her looked absolutely awesome on her! She was such a star and I absolutely loved her singing on stage. I liked how the story made London a reality on how it had a lot of poverty back then. I say it wasn't a pleasant place to be living in. I'm glad that the character Nan found her long-lost love and a place to be feed, warm,etc. Of course, we couldn't forget the baba. She was just a lovely baby. You normally wouldn't see babies much on shows like this but it was a real treat. Bless her.I found it quite scary that Nan was kidnapped by a single aristocratic woman and been a victim of theft by the maid. I would've loved to have given her help but at least she lived happily ever after with her new lover. :)

I'm doing a thesis on blurring the boundaries: the female cross dresser and am using Tipping the Velvet the book as my main text, any comments on gender and sexual identity, gender and sexual confusion, gender as a performance, gender as a fiction, gender imagery, cross-dressing as an erotic fantasy and as revolution, the effect of the male costume etc etc would be much appreciated! But a bit off the point has anyone seen Sergio Toledo's 1987 film Vera? Its about a young lesbian possibly transsexual cross dresser..I'm dying to see it because I think it'd be really helpful...Does anyone know where I might get a copy of it? I've tried amazon and a few other sites but no luck...

I have to say it is a sign that this film appeals to all ages if somebody by right should be shielding themselves away from anything remotely homosexual absolutely loves this thing.I thought every last bit of this film was amazing and the casting was superb, but I have to say Anna Chancellor...where have YOU been all my life.Having previously seen Anna in several other things I was completely blown away by how magnificent she was.Diana Letherby may not be the most lovable of the characters but she could certainly take me home if she fancied...