Mike Leigh is a terrific film-maker who usually makes contemporary character studies. With his new film, he tries his hand at a period piece.

Topsy-Turvy is an incredibly ambitious film chronicling the making of a play by the legendary duo Gilbert and Sullivan. Leigh gives us an intimate insight into the world of theater. From the bickering Gilbert and Sullivan to the lives of the actors they cast in their play, Topsy-Turvy is never short of fascinating. It's also quite funny with a well written screenplay and a fantastic ensemble cast.

Leigh defines each character, warts and all. By the end, I really got a sense who these people were. In fact, it occurred to me that these characters were more interesting than the characters in Gilbert and Sullivan's play.

If I have one complaint about Topsy-Turvy, it would have to be its length. At a staggering two hours and forty minutes, it certainly could have been tightened up a bit. That is, however, a minor quibble. For the most part this is an interesting and passionate film.