Quin GootBrideshead Revisited (2008)
January 30th 2009 04:35
Director:- Julian Jarrold.
Starring:- Matthew Goode, Ben Whishaw, Hayley Atwell, Emma Thompson, Michael Gambon.
Another adaption of a novel. I am usually very keen to see a good novel transformed onto screen, even though the result can often be less than satisfying. Well, I hadn't read Evelyn Waugh's pre-WWII love story set in Northern England, so I'll just say that my perspective was not tarnished by expectation as I sat down for this one.
Brideshead Revisited is seen through the eyes of Charles, played by Matthew Goode. After leaving his somewhat aloof father, Charles heads towards Oxford to study history. Really desiring to be an artist, he soon captures the attentions of the bibulous and eccentric Sebastian, played by Ben Whishaw. The two quickly become friends, and Charles is taken to Sebastian's place of upbringing, Brideshead, by which the former becomes instantly mesmerised. Enter Sebastian's sister Julia, whom Charles quickly takes a fancy to, and you have a love triangle. Well a love square really, if you involve Brideshead itself. Well then you could throw religion in there for a love pentagon if you wanted to. Actually come to think of it, you could also throw alcohol in there for a love hexagon (which I think would be a better title for the film). Anyway, I will come to this.
The film started off well, with settings that convinced me of its time and class, and music that suited this nicely. Brideshead itself was beautiful, and I found Ben Whishaw's performance immediately engaging. Also, I love Emma Thompson, put her into a film and I usually find my way there one way or another. All was good so far. Throw in Sebastian's infatuation with both Charles and alcohol, Charles' infatuation with Julia and Brideshead, a stormy kiss, Venice, some nice art, and I am now interested.
The return from Venice. By now the fire of the film is crackling heartily. Sebastian is devastated due to events I won't disclose, which accelerates his relationship with alcohol, pushing him into the anti-social corners of the world. We have now lost the best actor and gained two other prominent characters, Brideshead and Catholicism. It was as at this point that I felt events began to hit the rim and spill onto the floor.
The newest characters now figure as a centre piece in the life of both Charles and Julia, although they failed to convince me in doing so. Julia's devout actions at the end of the film seemed a little sudden and forced to me, as did Charles' apparent relentless pursuit of all things desired. By now I had the impression that I was meant to be engrossed in loves lost, choices made, and the centrepiece of Brideshead itself, and I almost was. But instead I was left feeling a little unconvinced.
The film did, however, leave me with the impression that the book would be worth a read. I wanted to like this film, and in many ways I did. I just felt like it had a little trouble pulling itself together in the last quarter.
Worth watching for Ben Whishaw, Emma Thompson, and the setting, which is exquisite.
Three bananas out of five.
Starring:- Matthew Goode, Ben Whishaw, Hayley Atwell, Emma Thompson, Michael Gambon.
Another adaption of a novel. I am usually very keen to see a good novel transformed onto screen, even though the result can often be less than satisfying. Well, I hadn't read Evelyn Waugh's pre-WWII love story set in Northern England, so I'll just say that my perspective was not tarnished by expectation as I sat down for this one.
The film started off well, with settings that convinced me of its time and class, and music that suited this nicely. Brideshead itself was beautiful, and I found Ben Whishaw's performance immediately engaging. Also, I love Emma Thompson, put her into a film and I usually find my way there one way or another. All was good so far. Throw in Sebastian's infatuation with both Charles and alcohol, Charles' infatuation with Julia and Brideshead, a stormy kiss, Venice, some nice art, and I am now interested.
The return from Venice. By now the fire of the film is crackling heartily. Sebastian is devastated due to events I won't disclose, which accelerates his relationship with alcohol, pushing him into the anti-social corners of the world. We have now lost the best actor and gained two other prominent characters, Brideshead and Catholicism. It was as at this point that I felt events began to hit the rim and spill onto the floor.
The newest characters now figure as a centre piece in the life of both Charles and Julia, although they failed to convince me in doing so. Julia's devout actions at the end of the film seemed a little sudden and forced to me, as did Charles' apparent relentless pursuit of all things desired. By now I had the impression that I was meant to be engrossed in loves lost, choices made, and the centrepiece of Brideshead itself, and I almost was. But instead I was left feeling a little unconvinced.
The film did, however, leave me with the impression that the book would be worth a read. I wanted to like this film, and in many ways I did. I just felt like it had a little trouble pulling itself together in the last quarter.
Worth watching for Ben Whishaw, Emma Thompson, and the setting, which is exquisite.
Three bananas out of five.
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Comment by Michelle Sweeney
Competition Queen
Always Learning
Cinema Voyage
Comment by Quin Goot
Cinema Banana
Yeah, I am partial to period piece films, although they could have done more with this one. And Emma Thompson is great isn't she? I also think Ben Whishaw is one to look out for.