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A Handful of Dust

1988Movie1 h 58 minPG

DramaRomance
69
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb6.5Rotten Tomatoes83%45%

A relentlessly bleak, moving romance movie about family and history.

Good for date night · friends night · drop-in friendly

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood

Where to watch

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Not for warmth, laughs or uplift.

Movies with

Story

It's a long fall from high society

English aristocrat Tony Last welcomes tragedy into his life when he invites John Beaver to visit his vast estate. There Beaver makes the acquaintance of Tony's wife, Brenda. Together, they continue their relationship in a series of bedroom assignations in London. Trusting to a fault, Tony is unaware that anything is amiss until his wife suddenly asks for a divorce. With his life in turmoil, Tony goes on a haphazard journey to South America.

Feels like

  • Tragedy of the English Aristocracy
  • Satirical Social Commentary
  • Decline of the British Empire
  • Betrayal and Loss
  • Psychological Drama
  • Class Conflict
  • Melancholic Tone
  • Historical Setting

Cast

23 of 23

Crew

Directed by
Charles Sturridge
Written by
Tim Sullivan, Charles Sturridge, Evelyn Waugh
Produced by
Nicky Kentish Barnes, Celestia Fox, Toby Ford
Music by
George Fenton

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

June 24, 1988 · 1 h 58 min · PG

Released
June 24, 1988
Runtime
1 h 58 min
Age rating
PG
Genres
Romance, Drama
Original language
English
Made in
United Kingdom
Box office
$2 million
Available in
38 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream A Handful of Dust?"

Questions about A Handful of Dust

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is A Handful of Dust worth watching?

69
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 69 (IMDb 6.5 and Rotten Tomatoes 83%). Critics rate it higher (83 out of 100) than audiences (55).

Is A Handful of Dust okay for kids?

PG

Better for older viewers: it's rated PG in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for adults.

Is A Handful of Dust good for date night?

and 1 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing Safe

Yes: romance is 6 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Will I feel good after watching A Handful of Dust?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for bleakness and 8 for melancholy, against 2 for hopefulness.