Brideshead Revisited
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Movie Reviews of Brideshead Revisited
Movie Review: Brideshead, Revisited With Reservations
Summary: 4 Stars
Any film of Brideshead Revisited will inevitably be compared with the 1981 mini-series, and will suffer from the comparison. Evelyn Waugh's novel was so rich and detailed that any attempt to depict it in a mere 2 hours or so will be wanting. I am a fan of the mini-series, which I have watched countless times, and I want to make it clear that there are many things about this version that I find very appealing: the use of Castle Howard, the fine acting by Michael Gambon, Emma Thompson, Hayley Atwell, Ben Whishaw, and Matthew Goode, and the beautiful sets and costumes.
Unfortunately the need to compress the story distorts much of what Evelyn Waugh intended. By making the love affairs between Charles Ryder and Sebastian and Julia Flyte occur nearly simultaneously instead of Charles first loving Sebastian and then years later falling in love with Julia, Waugh's message of spiritual and emotional growth is blunted. More troubling is the lack of positive emphasis on Christianity and Roman Catholicism. Whereas in the book and the mini-series Lady Marchmain is a tragic, sympathetic figure, the film emphasizes her hauteur and coldness. This has larger immplications than just a difference in interpretation, since Lady Marchmain in large part represents the Church. Furthermore, I am especially disappointed by the ending. In the book and mini-series we see an affirmation of both new and enduring faith, while the film is far more equivocal.
Despite these reservations, I do value this film and intend to watch it many times. While Waugh himself would be horrified over some of the modifications (he would call them distortions), this new interpretation of his work is beautiful in its own right, and its ambiguities are a challenge which allows us to re-examine our own beliefs.
Movie Review: Brideshead Revisted - Fabulous Movie!
Summary: 4 Stars
I have never read the book or seen the mini series to Brideshead Revisted. Matthew Goode as Charles Rider did an excellent job in his role in this movie. I have never seen him in any other films, but I must say that for the first time seeing him, makes me want to find other films that he has done.
I feel the as Charles Rider he was very good looking and a beautiful man more so then Sabatian was in the film. The actor who had played Sabastian to me was not so much a handsome man as some other peoples reviews above had stated. He was young with some quirks; however he did a wonderful role in playing Sabatian.
Brideshead was beautiful and the art, the statues, I would have loved to have looked around the property myself, even though I have never been to England. What I did not like was the fact that they brought up the religion issue! I think that they were focusing too much on Catholisim then the characters themselves.
However, I loved the ending. Even though yes it was very sad! Not every thing has to have a happy ending. But when Charles goes into the Chapel and his hands were wet from the holy water and was about to take out the flame, he didn't...because he wanted to keep that flame in my oppinon alive for the memories of those who lived their and those that he truely loved!
I am going to watch this movie over and over again! I loved it! I would recommend it!.
Valerie,
Santa Clara, CA
Movie Review: Brideshead Revisited film
Summary: 4 Stars
E. Waugh's classic novel "Brideshead Revisited" is a masterpiece. It is a kind of book whose first pages do not want reader to put the book down. I saw series starring Jeremy Irons in a role of Charles Ryder years ago and still cannot forget fantastic actors that were part of that project. I knew that director of this movie had tough shoes to fill. Is it going to ever be possible to put in 90 minutes complexities of fine cast of characters of this unforgetable story?
Surely, visual beauty of Brideshead house, art inside it and suffocation of the place in spite of its grandness is right to the point. M. Goode in his role of Charles Ryder is absolutely wonderful. We see him young and pure, devoted in his friendhip and love to Sebastian and Julia and finally a broken, middle aged man with no life in him left. While story is on track, film does not allow too much space for fantastic characters such as Cordelia, Sebastian's younger sister nor Carla, Sebastian father's Italian mistress. For audiences not familar with these characters, this is a great loss not to know them on a deeper level. Emma Thompson is too sensual to be casted in a role of Sebastian's stern mother of stiff religious beliefs.
Still a good and touching story, but not as nearly as good as series.
Movie Review: Beautiful on its own.
Summary: 4 Stars
I found this production far more palatable than the older film version. This is beautifully filmed with terrific performances and wonderful scenery. Even though I really can't understand the relationship between Charles and Sebastian, and even found it a little painful to watch at times, I was still able to appreciate the tension and interconnections of the relationships throughout and the conflict of the latter relationship of Charles with Sebastian's sister. The performances are terrific as mentioned and lack the melodramatic flourish of the older series that I find irritating in many productions of that era. This is a fine example of a plodding English drama that one needs to sink into and simply experience rather than looking for solutions at times. For those who are die hard fans of the book or the older series, you will likely be upset at key changes this movie has made and some will likely trash this review in an attempt to trash the movie. You have to look at this version as a movie unto itself. It is not faithful to the book. Yet, it is atmospheric, emotional and rewarding if you stick with it.Movie Review: 'Brideshead' Is Revisited with Splendour
Summary: 4 Stars
Although the 1984 PBS movie did the most with sparer resources (Particularly with excellent performances by Jeremy Irons, et al), this 'Brideshead...' is expansive with marvelous cinematography to match its moving performances. (Most notably Emma Thompson and Michael Gambon as Lady Marchmain and Lord Marchmain respectively.) Not having a rote memory of reading the novel twenty-five years ago, I find this adaptation true to the spirit of Evelyn Waugh's intentions. Wonderfully shot and in crisp detail, this beautiful film has nary a wasted scene. (Particularly, they prudently excise the infamous part where Charles listens to a scholar spout off during a meal. The dialogue they do retain serves the clarity of the heart of the novel.) Mesmerizing and authentically executed.