Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story

2023 1h 31m Documentary Biography List
90% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 67% Audience Score Fewer than 50 Ratings
Noël Coward grew up in poverty and left school when he was only nine years old. He was queer in a very straight world. And yet by the age of 30, he was the highest paid writer in the world, and a star on the Broadway stage. He wrote, directed and acted in some of the finest plays and movies of all time, including Private Lives, Blithe Spirit, Brief Encounter and In Which We Serve. He also became a world renowned songwriter and performer of whom Frank Sinatra said, "If you want to hear how a song should be sung, go see Mr. Noël Coward." And if that wasn't enough, he was also a spy during the Second World War! Against all odds, Noël Coward became the most successful multi-talented artist of the Twentieth Century. He defined an era and led an extraordinary life. This is his inspirational story told in his own words and music, and unique home movies. Read More Read Less

Critics Reviews

View All (20) Critics Reviews
James Jackson Times (UK) As the clips became more plentiful, this became a not only deeply researched but also rather captivating portrait of a one-off — even if every time he sang one of his ditties I couldn’t get Monty Python’s “Penis Song” spoof out of my head. Rated: 4/5 Dec 27, 2023 Full Review Stephen Romei The Australian The final invention, from uneducated to the highest paid writer in the world came through a means that still should be recommended to every child, no matter what their circumstances. Rated: 3.5/5 Nov 7, 2023 Full Review Geordie Greig Independent (UK) If anyone wants to take a mesmerising journey into matchless wit and style, watch Mad About the Boy, Barnaby Thompson’s documentary on Noël Coward. Rated: 5/5 Jul 10, 2023 Full Review Gerald Peary Arts Fuse I saw documentaries, the majority of them excellent, about gay men, a maybe gay man, a bi woman, and a wobbly straight woman who is the ultimate gay icon. My very favorite of the bunch was Mad About the Boy: the Noel Coward Story Jun 25, 2024 Full Review Cris Kennedy Inner East Review In the film's second half we get glimpses of a more self-reflective man, no longer popular at home and exploring a career between Las Vegas nightclub shows and a relaxed life in Jamaica. Rated: 3/5 Apr 29, 2024 Full Review Graeme Tuckett Stuff.co.nz An affectionate and respectful swing at a storied and fascinating life. Rated: 4/5 Apr 21, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews
Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
My Name is Alfred Hitchcock 100% % My Name is Alfred Hitchcock The Real Charlie Chaplin 95% 83% The Real Charlie Chaplin TRAILER for The Real Charlie Chaplin Love, Antosha 97% 92% Love, Antosha Barry & Joan 100% % Barry & Joan I'm "George Lucas": A Connor Ratliff Story 100% % I'm "George Lucas": A Connor Ratliff Story Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story photos

Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story

Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story (2023) Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story (2023) Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story (2023) Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story (2023) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Noël Coward grew up in poverty and left school when he was only nine years old. He was queer in a very straight world. And yet by the age of 30, he was the highest paid writer in the world, and a star on the Broadway stage. He wrote, directed and acted in some of the finest plays and movies of all time, including Private Lives, Blithe Spirit, Brief Encounter and In Which We Serve. He also became a world renowned songwriter and performer of whom Frank Sinatra said, "If you want to hear how a song should be sung, go see Mr. Noël Coward." And if that wasn't enough, he was also a spy during the Second World War! Against all odds, Noël Coward became the most successful multi-talented artist of the Twentieth Century. He defined an era and led an extraordinary life. This is his inspirational story told in his own words and music, and unique home movies.
Director
Barnaby Thompson
Producer
Gregor Cameron, Barnaby Thompson
Screenwriter
Barnaby Thompson, Barnaby Thompson
Production Co
Bleat Post Production, Unigram, Fragile Films
Genre
Documentary, Biography
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 31m