The career of Noël Coward, the poster boy for aristocratic, quick-witted, camp British queerness, is explored in filmmaker Barnaby Thompson’s brief, but charming and amusing overview of a truly brilliant life, Mad About The Boy: The Noël Coward Story, playing Queer Screen’s 31st Mardi Gras Film Festival.
Alan Cumming and Rupert Everett narrate the documentary, illustrated with archival footage, chronicling Coward’s early years growing up poor in London, through to his prolific literary and musical career, which included writing more than 500 songs and 60 plays. With a string of West End hits like Hay Fever, Private Lives, Present Laughter, Blithe Spirit, and Design for Living, Coward became the highest paid writer in the English language by his thirtieth birthday.
Mad About The Boy looks at how the writer, composer, and actor constructed the public persona of a “talented, sophisticated playboy” that became his hallmark. It touches upon his work with the intelligence services during World War II, who used his fame and influence to gather information and spread disinformation. However, it is the long lasting effects of living behind a façade that give the film its heart, with Thompson examining how Coward struggled to develop intimate relationships, despite being publicly adored. There are some oversteps at times, with the film speculating what Coward’s emotions might have been in certain moments.
At a brisk 90 minutes, Mad About the Boy delivers a worthwhile and highly entertaining look at Coward’s life, with engaging narration by Everett and Cumming, and hints of the satirical humour that made him a star. Perhaps more time would have allowed for a deeper exploration, but this is nevertheless a highly entertaining, fast-paced glimpse at the life at one queerdom’s shining lights.
By Chad Armstrong
Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story plays at the Queer Screen’s 31st Mardi Gras Film Festival on Saturday, February 17th. The 2024 Mardi Gras Film Festival runs in cinemas in Sydney February 15th – 29th and on-demand Australia-wide March 1st – 11th.
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