Rupert Everett

If the old adage that “you can tell a person by their friends” is true, then it doesn’t say a lot for Rupert Everett. Once he was making his way in world he seemed to gravitate towards the feckless, self entitled, selfish, the lazy and hedonistic. Almost to a man /woman / queen, the characters he describes are awful people...and yet he loves them and, ultimately to the possible detriment of his career and talent, spends much of his adult life partying and freeloading, even when utterly broke (it really is “who you know”, clearly).

He writes intelligently, and it seems a shame he’s wasted his brain and his talent on getting wasted so much. It’s laudable he became interested in charity work when exposed to it in later life but it didn’t sound like it made him reassess his own lifestyle much (at least, that’s the impression left by the book) although he might have slowed down a bit as time has passed…although most of his friends from his younger days had clearly died or “left town”.

There are lots of gossipy tales about actors he’s worked with which are entertainingly told...but from his adult life, not quite so much personal detail. He doesn’t appear to be one for introspection, or letting the reader inside his head too often. One thing many of his tales do underline is just how thick the line between the in crowd and everyone else is...you’re either in with them, and acceptable, whatever you do, or you’re not.

The book is an entertaining read, split into easily digested chapters...but especially when writing about his adult life, lacking personal detail and focusing much more on what other people were like.

I just came away with the impression he spent much of his life with little humility; although he is often self deprecating in the book, he doesn’t seem to suffer fools gladly and I wouldn’t like him too much (or he me, to be fair). He’s since written another volume of memoir which seems to be on the same lines. While this was entertainingly written, and parts are funny, being unable to empathise with any of the characters meant the bits some would find moving didn't move me at all. I think it will be a while before can read more about that world he’s spent his life in. My wife enjoyed this more than me; some of the unpleasant people he describes as great friends just really grated on me.… (more)

Proof that Rupert Everett's first memoir RED CARPETS AND OTHER BANANA SKINS was no one-off success, VANISHED YEARS draws us further into his life and career.

Starting off with a typically take-no-prisoners account of attending a celeb-packed magazine launch on Liberty Island with Madonna, Everett then whisks us to an Embassy dinner in Washington DC (which gives rise to a deliciously barbed profile of Simon Schama). While there Everett hits on the perfect vehicle for his launch into US sitcoms and we follow his rapidly disenchanted journey into getting a pilot for 'Mr. Ambassador' off the ground, this includes a delightful profile of his co-star Derek Jacobi. Everett also includes a toe-curling account of his short time on THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE.

For all the freewheeling tales of showbiz highlife Everett's book takes on a sombre tone as he reflects on the loss of family and friends. In particular I was moved by his chapter devoted to Natasha Richardson which moves from showbiz anecdotes to a profoundly honest rumination on the missed chances of connecting with someone.

An excellent book.… (more)