I got all excited when I thought of the idea for a Top 5 Friday post honoring our beloved fops in historical costume movies … but then I started trying to decide who would make the cut, and I just couldn’t cut them all! So I decided to make this a two-parter. Today, I’ll count down my #6 to 10, and then next week my #1 to 5.
So, let’s give it up for the ponciest, flounciest, and prissiest of characters in historical costume movies: foppish boys!
Honorary Mention Fops
Okay, so I couldn’t really make it only 10…
The Duke of Sandringham in Outlander (2014- )
Oh Simon Callow, you are so fabulous and SO well cast as the very gay, somewhat foppish, definitely dangerous Duke of Sandringham in Outlander. He’s not over the top or anything, he just has a particularly spiffy wardrobe and wigs that are Just So. And he’s Simon Callow, so he chews the scenery with the best of them!
Léonard in Marie Antoinette (2006)
If famed hairdresser to French queen Marie-Antoinette had had a bigger role in the 2006 film Marie Antoinette, he’d probably end up higher on my list. Nonetheless, he still needs a mention for his love of pink, his “work, work, fashion, baby” walk, and his response to the Duchesse de Polignac’s pertinent question — that’s right, baby. EVERYTHING.
#10: Philippe d’Orleans in A Little Chaos (2014)
French king Louis XIV’s younger brother, Philippe d’Orléans, enjoyed the gentlemen and a good frock. Stanley Tucci plays the part beautifully in A Little Chaos, giving Orléans a touch of foppishness without going crazy. Plus, any guy in a long, full-bottomed wig is my friend.
Also, let’s give it up for the screenwriters who came up with priceless dialogue like:
Orléans (aka Monsieur) will be a major character in the mini-series Versailles coming to U.S. screens in October, and I can’t wait to see what they do with him!
#9: The Duc d’Anjou in Elizabeth (1998)
My vague memory is that the duc d’Anjou, who came to England to court Queen Elizabeth I, was actually pretty unattractive (she called him “her Frog”) and sweet (she actually quite liked him). Nonetheless, Vincent Cassel is hilarious as the totally French duke who is convinced he’s god’s gift to the lay-deeze…
Duc d’Anjou: [also in French] Unless they have … a very big key [laughs loudly] Yes! A *very* big key!
#8: Robert Ferrars in Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Why Robert Ferrars, younger brother of Elinor’s love interest Edward, amuses me so much I’m not sure. He’s just the proper mix of ponce, starched cravat, and toady-to-his-sister.
Okay, it probably helps that he’s just about the oiliest “gentleman” ever:
And joins his sister Fanny in being good at making you feel small (while doing the “paw” dance):
#7: Cecil Vyse in A Room With a View (1985)
Oh Cecil Vyse. He used to drive me CRAZY when I watched A Room With a View as a teenager, but now that I’m all growed up I can appreciate his comedic qualities. He should be your mother’s wet dream, but Lucy’s mother is smart enough to know that her daughter will come to regret marrying such a ponce.
Cecil Vyse: I have no profession. My attitude —Â quite an indefensible one —Â is that as long as I am no trouble to anyone, I have the right to do as I like. It is, I dare say, an example of my decadence.
#6: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Amadeus (1984)
Y’all know I have my problems with this movie, but what I can’t argue with is the fabulously entertaining portrayal of Mozart. I don’t even care if it’s historically accurate, Tom Hulce is too hilarious as a poncy-yet-straight version of the musician. I mean, he just wants to wear silly wigs and have a great time!
What do you think of the first part of my Fop Fiesta? Who do you hope will make the next part of the list? Stay tuned next Friday for #1-5!
CECIL VYSE for the win! Daniel Day-Lewis invested him with such pathos in that last scene with Lucy. He says “until this moment, I never knew myself” – and he still doesn’t, not completely – but I just want to hug him as he sits there with his sad, perfectly polished shoes.
YES. Poor Cecil! Maybe he learned from the whole debacle and went on to a satisfying relationship with the woman/man of his choice?
I agree! DDL was so brilliant as Cecil, and the character is so much more than just a comedic fop.
My favorite Cecil moment is near the end of the movie when he’s walking back to the house, completely oblivious to all the intrigue and romance, reading that novel and giggling to himself.
Will this be strictly films and no television? Because I long to see the variety of fops featured in Blackadder the Third.
My Magic 8 ball says you’ll be generally pleased with 1-5…
I’m looking forward!
I laughed so hard at this post / these gifs. Fabulous.
Is Sir Percy a fop even if most of it is just an act? Because… if so, that’s my favorite fop, right there. *cues up Anthony Andrews* “Look at that cravat! It’s stickin’ out like a PIN CUSHHIN!”
Leslie Howard’s Sir Percy had better be number on on this list. Nobody did it better, even if was a huge act on Blakeney’s part.
Mayyyyy-be…
Gosh, I simply cannot choose between Cecil Vyse and Wolfie Mozart. The mad wig is definitely a Lol and I can see where Taylor Swift got her unicorn idea. Mozart as a unicorn is the ROTFLI moment of my day. Thanks.
Also both Pimpernels should be on 1-5 or should it be 3 Pimpernels with Blackadder?
I don’t know who 1 through 5 will be, but I’m voting for Victor Spinetti in “Start the Revolution without Me.” (And my favorite scene, the throwdown with Gene Wilder — “Are you here in Paris for business or pleasure?”)
Lord Rochester in ‘Plunkett & Macleane’?
Was it Drawlight in Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell?
OH yes. He would get my vote too.
The Elizabeth movie conflated Francois, Duc d’Anjou, with his brother Henri III, I believe.
You are going to LOVE Versailles – and maybe snark at it a bit. Season 2 already got the go ahead!
Can’t wait for Versailles. Has it been picked up for US audience?
A late response: Tim Roth in “Rob Roy,” an enjoyable 18th-century swords and castles and crofts and heather, etc., sort of movie. He is a fabulous fop, a mincing sadist who’s great with a blade, and all messed up because of his unhappy childhood. I almost hoped he’d kill Liam Neeson, whom I usually root for.