Review: Madfabulous

Madfabulous tells the story of Henry Cyril Paget, the 5th Marquess of Anglesey. However, if Celyn Jones had made the true story of Paget, this would be a wholly different film.

The real Henry was born into extraordinary wealth, his mother died when he was very young, and as was usual for aristocratic children, distanced from his father, he was brought up by servants and nannies and later was a student at Eton. He was brought up as he should be, in preparation to be a Marquess, to marry, breed, and continue the family name while building yet more wealth. Hey, it’s great to be a part of the aristocracy in Britain.

Henry toed the line and, in his early 20s, he married his cousin Lillian. This was normal for the aristocracy, to keep all the wealth in the family, or perhaps as a disguise to hide his sexuality. You see, Henry was different. Henry was…. Fabulous, and as soon as his dad died, he became the master of all, and he was released. Over a period of 6 years, he did whatever he wanted. That seemed to be… spending all the money on performing in real diamond-encrusted outfits.

Lily divorced him 2 years later for non-consummation of the marriage, which may or may not have been down to him being gay, or maybe from being totally ignored as he travelled the world with his acting troupe.

Eventually, after losing all the family’s wealth, he had to give up the title to his cousin and lived in ‘exile’ (ahem) in the poshest hotel in Paris, where he died of tuberculosis at only 29.

At his death, ALL his diaries and personal papers were burned, destroying his ‘true’ story.

So, that’s the true story of Henry, a privileged, enormously wealthy aristocrat who did whatever he wanted to in an age that either didn’t understand what we do now about gender fluidity, or railed against any man who was not a …man, like Oscar Wilde, who despite being brilliant, very famous and the darling of society, was on trial and subsequently sent to prison for ‘gross indecency’ for being gay.

As we view history through our eyes now, Celyn Jones has made a film for 2026, moulding the story to show us just how out of his time Henry was.

Imagine the Duke of Westminster right now, deciding he’s trans and wants to do drag. That’s a good comparison. Though Celyn has changed the real story (and what historical film doesn’t? Every film about Queen Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots shows them meeting for a row. They never met) to resonate with us.

God, this is a gorgeous film to look at, sumptuous, with depth, the dark corners of candlelit interiors make the beautiful costumes and make-up sing. And what costumes, they are another star of the film. Henry’s first appearance in his mother’s burgundy dress sets the tone for an off kilter romantic hero/heroine? It starts like Merchant Ivory on acid. Of course, Henry today would be loved and famous, and probably even richer through social media.

Callum Scott Howells gives the most beautiful performance as Henry, handsome, delicate, pale, swoony…. And surprisingly not overtly gay.

This could have been a ‘He was queer, and he liked a dance’ performance, but it’s far more nuanced and delicate, and his sexuality is merely hinted at with one light hand stroke from one of the film’s villains, but sex isn’t (forgive me) rammed down your throat.

Much like a recent review I wrote about Tip Toes and Half Man, Madfabulous belongs to the former. Beautiful and thought provoking, and so Welsh (Yes!).

To me, this isn’t a real biography of Henry (too much is missing, and lots is made up), and you know what dear reader? It doesn’t matter, because what Celyn Jones has made is a film about then, for now.

He’s taken the story of Henry and allowed us to peek into what extreme wealth can allow a queer, artistic man to do.

Basically, whatever the fuck he wants to, and he’s a joy to watch.

So the test is Mr 60MW himself; Dave…the person who loves action and horror films. What was his opinion of Madfabulous, and did it pass the Dave test?

I’m very happy to report that yes, it did, with bells on, and also a bit of butterfly dancing.

Lovely. Bendagedig!

Icon Film Distribution presents Madfabulous on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital Platforms (inc. Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video & Sky) from 20th July.

Review by Tina from a disc kindly supplied by Icon Film Distribution via The Warrior Agency.