Country Life
by Michael Blakemore
(Click here)
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Gretta Scacchi: John Hargreaves, Kerry Fox, Sam NeilDirector: Michael Blakemore
Brand: Buena Vista Home Video
Writer: Michael Blakemore
Producer: Robin Dalton
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Unknown; English (Original Language), Unknown; French (Original Language), Unknown
Format: NTSC
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 103 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2012-01-06
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: LIONSGATE
Movie Reviews of Country Life
Movie Review: Chekhov's Uncle Vanya set in Maitland, NSW
Summary: 5 Stars
This is Michael Blakemore's Australianised version of 'Uncle Vanya', Chekhov's comedy of frustrated provincial life with its ludicrous but painful self-oppression. It's set in the lovely Hunter Valley of NSW and its verdant pastoral landscape looks gorgeous filmed in saturated painterly colours. The characters are adapted slightly (as is the script) to make the story work for Australia just after the Great War. The cultural moment is the realisation that Australia is going to have to shed its imaginative and political domination by all things English. Blakemore's intelligence and wit and his own keen expatriate's vision are razor-sharp and compassionate. The film analyses the colonial attitudes of his own class and generally charts the fatal inter-locking of provincial insecurity and imperial delusions. Just watch for the hilariously awful sequence starting with a brightly coloured rosella feasting on a flowering tree....
Blakemore himself ended up playing the grand writer (Chekhov's Professor) who (supposedly) Made It in England: he gives a precise comical dissection of self-important fatuity. Greta Scacchi is the Helena figure, his trophy wife who stirs up the male hormones. Sam Neill is the sexy Doctor Astrov character: the region's voice of progress but a cynical and disillusioned individual; and Kerry Fox is Sonya, the put-upon daughter who pines for the Doctor but actually keeps the property running. Watch for a young Tom Long in a small role, and the wonderful Googie Withers as the crafty Irish house-keeper who firmly and wisely rules the estate while dishing up to the grand folk endless mutton meals in every tasteless variation. But the star performance for me is the late John Hargreaves as the Vanya character: his extrovert interpretation has to be a career best.
As an Australian film 'Country Life'does indeed lack all those 'international' local colour staples of man-eating crocs (or toothy sharks, or killer dingos) - not a psychopathic bush murderer or menacing redneck is to be seen! Instead we see a lush landscape with the mansions of the wealthy rural Australian ruling faction of the era. But it's smart, intelligent and no reverently corseted 'period movie. Fans of adapted Chekhov or of any member of Blakemore's uniformly great cast will adore 'Country Life'; which makes the story what Chekhov called it - a comedy.
For a reference point you might like to get hold of the National Theatre video of Chekhov's play in the 1963 production, with the great performer Michael Redgrave at his peak as Vanya and Olivier as the Doctor, plus a flawless cast.
Summary of Country Life
Talented Sam Neil (Jurassic Park I & III, The Hunt For Red October) Stars with sexy Greta Scacchi (Emma, The Player) in this delightful comedy, cheered by critics nationwide! Spring fever runs wild when a snooty native son returns to his hometown- and brings along his voluptuous new wife *Scacchi). Before long, every man in this tiny town is falling head-over-heels for the charms of this sensuous beauty. But things really heat up when she suddenly finds herself falling in love with the local doctor and resident playboy (Neil). You won't believe all the comic hanky-panky going on behind closed doors in this entertaining treat!This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.
Similar DVD Movies
The DishNEILL,SAM; Release date: 2001-08-31; DVD
Best price: $38.00
Summer in GenoaE1E; Release date: 2011-04-12; DVD
Best price: $6.55
Price in other shops:
Dead CalmWarner Brothers; Release date: 1999-12-14; DVD
Best price: $3.30
Price in other shops:
SirensEBH; Release date: 2011-05-24; DVD
Best price: $2.97
Price in other shops:
The TriangleLions Gate; Release date: 2006-03-28; DVD
Best price: $4.68
Price in other shops:
The Serpent's KissRelease date: 2001-04-17; DVD
Best price: $3.79
Price in other shops:
My Brilliant CareerWEA DES Moines Video; Release date: 2005-05-31; DVD
Best price: $9.42
Price in other shops:
Sweet RevengeBuena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2001-02-13; DVD
Best price: $12.00
Price in other shops:
Reilly - Ace of SpiesA&E; Release date: 2005-02-22; DVD
Best price: $17.98
Price in other shops:
Perfect StrangersFirst Look Pictures; Release date: 2004-06-22; DVD
Best price: $3.85
Price in other shops: