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Madfabulous, dir. Celyn Jones, 2026, UK, 108 min.
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 8:45 PM, Castro Theatre
🌊 West Coast premiere
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| Madfabulous |
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the actual Lord Paget |
Frameline blurb: “I was born a good story,” announces Henry Cyril Paget (Callum Scott Howells of It’s a Sin), the next Marquess of Anglesey, as the opening credits roll in this fizzy historical biopic. Director Celyn Jones makes good on that promise as Henry arrives, dressed in one of his mother’s frocks, to take over his father’s Welsh estate.
His flamboyancy creates a stir on the estate and consternation among his relatives. Only cousin Lily (Ruby Stokes), who becomes his partner in turning the sleepy 19th-century estate into a theatrical extravaganza, sees past his eccentricity and recognizes his huge heart. Creative endeavors aside, all Henry really wants is his father’s approval. Instead, his only paternal figure is his manservant Gelert (a spectacular Rupert Everett). Howells exquisitely captures the many sides of a vivacious personality determined to be always and extravagantly himself in a drama as gorgeous and vibrant as the man it celebrates.
My take: Madfabulous is so relentlessly over-the-top that it’s almost impossible to believe that it’s based on a true story from barely 130 years ago. While Henry (or familiarly “Toppy”) is fabulous, he is also gullible, pig-headed, and pretty much devoid of the gift of reason. He seems as intent on squandering his wealth as he is on the extravagant splendor of his purchases. He surrounds himself with parasitic sycophants and shuns any words of caution. In real life, Toppy spent the equivalent of £200 million in today’s money (USD $265 million) in his brief tenure on Anglesey (Ynys Môn, the northwesternmost corner of Wales). He very nearly ruined the entire economy of the island. His story is a stark warning of the pitfalls of hereditary power and wealth.
As much of a relentless train wreck as the real Toppy was, it’s certainly an entertaining story to watch unfold. The costumes are brilliant, and the characters are played to the hilt without a trace of self-awareness. It’s a wild ride that will hold your attention to the end, waiting for the inevitable end of the lavish excesses. It’s a must see for the costumes alone, but it’s also a story that will stick with you.
• IMDb • Official website ◦ UK website • Filmmaker • Instagram • Facebook • preview • Wikipedia: Madfabulous ◦ Lord Paget • Ynys Mon •
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