The Dresser

Albert Finney is by turns poignant and darkly comic as an aging lead actor (oddly named Sir) of a touring troupe of thespians who perform King Lear throughout war-ravaged England. Sir's devoted dresser, Norman (Tom Courtenay), is the only man who can keep the harried and increasingly delusional actor from breaking down in between -- and sometimes during -- performances in this heartfelt film from director Peter Yates.