I've always been drawn to Mike Leigh’s films, which makes it odd that I waited so long to see Topsy Turvy. Several of his works are among my all-time favorites, but this one didn’t come close to joining them. That isn’t to say I didn’t find it enjoyable; it was diverting and amusing, even if it occasionally lingered on less important moments during its two hour and forty minute running time. It was also fascinating to observe the dynamic between the Gilbert and Sullivan characters, assuming it's a reasonably accurate depiction of the historical pair. Plus, it has four actors I really like: Lesley Manville, Timothy Spall (who completely embodies the Mikado), Alison Steadman, and Jim Broadbent. What prevented me from liking the film more was how often the characters mumbled when they spoke to each other. I tried increasing the volume during those exchanges, but that didn’t fully fix it; in fact, it made things worse because whenever a big chorus number from The Mikado came on, the sound would be overwhelming. Then I'd have to lower it again, wait, and repeat the process. I suggest watching Topsy Turvy with some reservations, particularly if you appreciate subtle British films or are fond of The Mikado itself.

Source on TMDB