Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Movie Review Madness: Far From the Madding Crowd


It was enjoyable to go to the movies and not have anything blow up. Well, maybe a heart or two, but it was done quietly in Dorset England, 1870. Far From the Madding Crowd is a rich period movie based on a Thomas Hardy novel. Unlike many of his books, this one actually has a happy ending. Carey Mulligan plays the  very independent Bathsheba Everdene. She’s a young woman who inherits a farm and intends to prove that she can manage it without  a husband. She’s extraordinarily modern in a very modest time full of manners and social mores. 

Miss Everdene says, “It is difficult for a woman to define her feelings in language which is chiefly made by men to express theirs.”  The movie revolves around her independence and interactions with three possible suitors. I will not divulge the winner. Gabriel Oak (a very stoic (hot) Matthias Schoenaerts) is a sheep herder/farm hand with plenty of wisdom from observing the world. Mr. Boldwood  (a shy Michael Sheen) is her wealthy neighbor. It would be quite convenient for them to marry. Or there’s the dashing soldier (charming Tom Sturridge) who’s quite the lady’s man.  

The dialogue is expressive and often what is not said is what counts. There is plenty of soulful eye gazing. The scenery is gorgeous and well filmed. Carey Mulligan is an excellent young actress (only 29) and can say so much with her eyes. She’s smart, energetic, and fully developed as a character.  Far From the Madding Crowd is an artsy flick and far from the summer blockbuster blow ‘em ups. But sometimes it is nice to get away from the crowds, travel to old England in your chair, and watch a love story evolve.

17 comments:

  1. This sounds like a nice departure from those "blow 'em up" movies. Michael Sheen is also a brilliant actor, so I'll definitely be on the lookout for this one.

    Julie

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  2. But....he's looking at her boobies.
    I really can't help myself sometimes.

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    1. hey....if that gets you in the theater....

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    2. Except that one time in the Combat Zone....
      Apparently, I had too much to drink....

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  3. You convinced me with your first line. :D My husband seems to be drawn to those movies where something blows up much to my chagrin.

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    1. it's good to have a mix and be quiet sometimes

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  5. I studied this book for A-Levels. The more I had to write about it, the more I loathed it. I'm not sure even Carey Mulligan could save it for me :-(

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    1. time to move on. consider this the Cliff Notes version with pretty pictures.

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  6. Oh to have three very eligible suitors. Crap, I'll take one semi-eligible man in my same time zone. But I'm glad you enjoyed this flick and got a good break from high action obnoxiousness.

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    1. there's someone out there - maybe you aren't riding a horse along the right moors.....

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  7. I'm not a blower-upper fan, and while my ManCard is shivering at me, this might be a good one to watch on Netflix :)

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  8. This is one film that I'm going to try to get and see.

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  9. I'm afraid I'm with Annalise (above) on this one - when you've had to study certain authors it can kill your love for their work and the thought of going to see a film based on it at the cinema seems like purgatory! But I am very pleased it is having success with others such as yourself :)

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