Has Alan Cumming done enough historical costume roles to really warrant him being featured for Man Candy Monday? Probably not, but I find him so damn charming and talented that I’m going to abuse my power! He’s done a ton of theater, for which he’s won awards, but I probably love him most for modern-set Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion and 1950s-set Circle of Friends. Whatever, let’s just give him a nice shout out, shall we?
Cabaret (1993)
As “the Emcee” in a stage production of the classic musical set in Weimar/1930s-era Germany and broadcast on TV.
He wears it well…
Circle of Friends (1995)
He’s SO GREAT as the icky, smarmy guy Minnie Driver‘s character’s parents want her to marry in 1950s Ireland!
He’s your parents’ wet dream…
And your worst nightmare!
Emma (1996)
He and Juliet Stevenson as the Eltons are probably the best thing about this Jane Austen adaptation.
Cumming does these just-slightly-dandified roles so well!
Plunkett & Macleane (1999)
The costumes are mostly WTF, but he’s a fabulously foppy aristocrat in this pseudo 18th-century tale of two outlaws.
He totally pulls off the look!
Even when the look includes an eyebrow ring and Joan Crawford hair!
Titus (2010)
More historical/fantasy costumes in this Shakespeare adaptation, but I’m reaching here!
Fascism, I guess?
Intimate Affairs (2001)
A group “scientifically studies” sex in 1920s Paris.
Not sure what’s going on here, but at least Cumming has his shirt off!
Nicholas Nickleby (2002)
The shitty feature film with Anne Hathaway. My vague memory is that he and Nathan Lane are the only redeeming factors.
As an OTT actor…
Some kind of Victorian wood sprite?
Right, that’s what Scotsmen look like!
The Tempest (2010)
Another historical/fantasy take on Shakespeare…
I guess the costume designer decided to use All The Zippers?
What’s your favorite Alan Cumming historical movie role?
Never really noticed him, but that Cabaret pic made me suddenly realise he was THAT character in The L Word. Terrible, terrible plot lines, but he was soooo funny!
he’s wonderful
He and Juliet Walters as the Eltons are probably the best thing about this Jane Austen adaptation.
They were pretty good. But I think Gwyneth Paltrow owned that movie.
Jeremy Northam is the BEST Mr. Knightley in all the adapations!
His books are wonderful to read too. Well worth the time
You mean Juliet Stevenson, not Walters. I think you’re confusing the name w. Julie Walters. Love ’em both, love your posts!
Oops you’re right!
I endorse this abuse of power! Alan Cumming is a brilliant talent & needs to be in MORE historical stuff.
He was also in an independent film called Sweet Land, set in the countryside of 1920’s Minnesota. It also stars Alex Kingston, Elizabeth Reaser, Tim Guinee, and John Heard. The costumes aren’t particularly exciting, but Cumming is adorable (of course) as a struggling but optimistic farmer.
While he wasn’t in costume himself, Alan Cumming was the voice of Black Beauty in 1994. The costumes themselves were nothing special, but you do get to see a young Sean Bean and Jim Carter!
He was also in Annie with Kristin Chenoweth and Kathy Bates. I really loved him in that!
Love him in that role!
He stole Plunkett & McLeane. Stupid movie, but worth seeing for him. And his purple hat.
Agreed. He was a bright spot in that movie.
His purple outfit in P&M is the Best (I actually enjoy that movie, in a “pass the popcorn and shut off the brain” kind of way)
If you want his earliest comedy role (non historical but very hysterical) check out The High Life on DVD (I doubt anyone is streaming it). Very funny, lots of Scittish jokes and the 80s clothes. As they would say “pure dead brilliant”.