Tommy Cooper: Not Like That Like This

Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This is a touching, biographical TV movie that delves into the life of one of Britain's best-loved entertainers, the incomparable Tommy Cooper. Produced in 2014, the film stars David Threlfall, Helen McCrory, and Amanda Redman in pivotal roles. It provides an in-depth insight into the personal and professional life of Cooper, concentrating on the subtle duality of his life – his rise to fame, his onstage hilarity contrasted with his offstage battles with his personal demons and relationships.

David Threlfall, widely recognized for his role in Shameless, skillfully takes on the role of Tommy Cooper, delivering a riveting performance that represents Cooper's endearing and entertaining persona. Using his 6'3" frame to full advantage, Threlfall embodies the physically imposing yet utterly benign stage presence that created waves of laughter in live audiences, and brought joy to millions of homes through television. The separation between Tommy Cooper the performer and Thomas Frederick Cooper the private man is artfully portrayed, showcasing the duality of a man who was different people on and off stage.

From his risible magic tricks to the red fez that became his signature, Tommy Cooper was nothing short of a comedy legend. The movie captures this essence with great attention through Cooper characterization; his famous thumb trick, the maladroit magic acts, and of course, his distinctively derisive laughter that binds his audience in fits of mirth. All of his eccentricities, so endearing to the audiences that adored him, are convincingly brought to life by Threlfall.

Helen McCrory portrays Cooper's wife, Gwen, a woman who stood by him in his journey of life but also bore the brunt of his personal struggles. She depicts her character's deep love for Tommy and her constant efforts to support him amidst the many challenges they face. Amanda Redman plays Mary Kay, the woman with whom Cooper had an affair that continued for seventeen years. Redman excellently asserts her presence in a cast dominated by the force of Cooper's character, providing a compelling contrast to his otherwise uproarious existence.

The film explores Gwen's stoic endurance and Mary's infatuation in equal measure, without delivering judgmental perspectives or empathy pleas. Both Helen McCrory and Amanda Redman offer raw, unadorned performances that serve as real, poignant, and complex counterparts to Threlfall's Tommy.

While the movie illuminates Tommy Cooper's comedy, it also effectively handles the more serious aspects of his nature. His battle with alcoholism, his struggle with fame, his beleaguered personal relationships are painstakingly depicted, describing the disintegration of a man behind the façade of a perpetually jovial persona. Simultaneously, it underscores the incredible resilience and stamina of a man who dealt with his battles in his unique way, used humor to cope, and left behind a legacy of laughter.

While we often witness moments in Tommy's life fraught with personal conflicts and professional pressures, the film never forgets the comedian's role - to create mirth, to make the audience laugh, and it never fails to celebrate Cooper's enduring ability to do that. It represents the spontaneity and unpredictability of Cooper's humor, the unwitting comic that he was even offstage and effortlessness with which he could transform any situation into a mirthful encounter.

Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This is more than a simple biographical account of a renowned comedian. It is an emotional exploration of the life of a fallible man, a comedy genius, a husband, and a Casanova. Directed by Benjamin Caron and penned by Simon Nye, it is a riveting journey that echoes with laughter, resonates with heartache, and remains faithful to the complexities of a man who lived through his moments quite like his comedy - not like that, but like this. It provides an intimate glimpse behind the gags and the fez hat, offering an evocative portrait of Tommy Cooper, not just the comedian, but the man behind the laughter. It is a tribute as much to his comedy as to his unwavering spirit. This film stands as a must-watch for Tommy Cooper fans and to all those who enjoy the remarkable blend of humor, drama, and the human spirit.