I Capture the Castle
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Movie Reviews of I Capture the Castle
Movie Review: A gorgeously photographed British film about the agonies of love and the pain of growing up.
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is splendid: it is a meditation on life, love, and the the intense allure as well as the perils of a life devoted to art. Set in the gorgeous English countryside during the 1930s, the film tells its delicate story with a quiet grace. To summarize the plot briefly: an English family moves to a massive, decaying but impressive castle in the countryside with the hope of encouraging the writer-father (the brilliant Bill Nighy) to finish a second novel. The family is unusual, decidedly Bohemian, and believes in an ideal of Art but suffers bitterly for it, wallowing in poverty. The eldest daughter, played by the beautiful Rose Byrne, desperately longs for a life of luxury and wealth, which is represented by the two attractive American brothers who come to claim the castle as part of their heritage. Rose Byrne as Rose and her younger sister Cassie (played by the excellent, exceptionally talented Romola Garai) become entangled in a difficult, life-changing relationship with the American brothers as the family's fortune ebbs and flows. The film also features gorgeous cinematography as it is filled with breathtaking shots of the countryside (it was filmed on the Isle of Man) and the rambling castle.
I have read the wonderful novel by Dodie Smith, an accomplished English playwright and novelist (who also happened to be the author of The Hundred and One Dalmations, among other works) and I have seen the film several times. The film does not disappoint; in fact, I consider it a lovely and articulate adaptation of the novel. The acting is brilliantly fine: the best performance by far is Bill Nighy's fabulous turn as the crippled (by writer's block) writer who was once hailed as the next great British novelist, a po-mo version of James Joyce. He has been damaged by life and inhibited by the highest of expectations that were unfairly imposed upon him after his debut made a dramatic splash. The story is told through the point of view of Cassie (Garai), who writes compulsively to sort out her emotions and who matures as the film progresses, discovering secrets about herself, her family, and the American brothers that change the lives of everyone involved.
Movie Review: Delightful coming of age story.......
Summary: 5 Stars
I must admit that I haven't read the book but I love British comedy/drama so I purchased this dvd without even having seen the film before. I must say I have been very pleased with my choice.I enjoy this film immensely. It brings to mind that other fascinating British adaptation, "Cold Comfort Farm" starring Kate Beckinsale. "I Capture the Castle" has that sweet, romantic, dreamy feel that completely enraptures the viewer with its charm, humor and wit.
The story centers around 17 year old Cassandra Mortmain (Romola Garai of "Nicholas Nickleby" and "Daniel Deronda") and her eccentric family. Her father (Bill Nighy of "Love Actually" and "Underworld") is an author who hasn't written a word in 10 years. Her sister Rose (Rose Byrne of "Troy" and "Star Wars Episode II) yearns to marry well and get away from their dreary, depressed circumstances. Her stepmother Topaz (Tara Fitzgerald of "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall") is an eccentric artist who tries to keep her family together. Cassandra and her brother Thomas appear to be the only sensible beings in their household. Everyone else seems to be falling apart. Then there is their Adonis-like helper Stephen (an eye-opening role for Henry Cavill of "Count of Monte Cristo") who really does remind me of a Greek god.
The Mortmain's lives are turned upside down with the arrival of the wealthy Cotton brothers (Henry Thomas of "E.T." and "I'm With Lucy" and Marc Blucas). Soon enough, Stephen falls in love with Cassandra who falls in love with older brother Simon Cotton who falls in love with Rose. Before long, Rose is planning her wedding. The story climaxes when secrets are revealed and the phrase "you cannot control who you fall in love with" really does come to play.
The highlights of this film are the brilliant performances, namely of Romola Garai, Rose Byrne and Bill Nighy; the gorgeous and dreamy cinematography; and the enchanting story. It is, above all, a story of love and hope, and Cassandra's optimism throughout the story really shines through. I highly recommend it!
Movie Review: Let this Castle capture you
Summary: 5 Stars
I CAPTURE THE CASTLE is an inordinately beautiful film, blessed by a fine script adapted from the successful novel by Dodie Smith, a fine director who knows how to pace a film, beautiful cinematography, and a cast that is impeccable. "Capturing the castle" is both a real storyline and a metaphor for the struggle to find the self at the doorstep of maturity. What begins as a fairytale adventure - a small family moves into a real though dilapidated castle after the father is released from custody for wife abuse - becomes a withering fantasy as reality creeps into their lives. Since the mother died the father is unable to continue his successful flow of writing and hopes that living in a castle will open his writer's block. His daughters and son must adapt to the pauper life despite their 'castle', share their dreams, and eventually the light toward escape comes in the form of two American brothers who now own the property on which the castle sits. At this point the story frolics through the romances of the sisters, the addition of a stepmother and the eventual resolution of dreams for one daughter and the comfortable longing for love for the other daughter.The cast includes the radiant Romola Garai and Rose Byrne as the sisters, Bill Nighy as the blocked writer/father, Tara Fitzgerald (VERY sensitive actress) as the stepmother, Henry Thomas and Marc Bluca as the American brothers, and one Henry Cavill as Stephen - the beautiful Adonis boy who remains in the background and serves only as a sensual propellant to the girl's grounded dreams.
In a field of movies that try very hard to be Oscar contenders, I CAPTURE THE CASTLE seems content to be exactly what it is - a luminously beautiful simple film that will capture your heart.
Movie Review: *SURPRISE! PROVOCATIVE, WITTY CASTLE-DWELLERS*
Summary: 5 Stars
Romola Garai plays a winsome Cassandra Mortmain in this adaptation of Dodie Smith's ("100 & One Dalmatians") 1930s story "I CAPTURE THE CASTLE." Cassie is a 17-year-old who wants to be a writer and lives in impoverished naivete in a decaying British castle with gorgeous sister Rose, wise-eyed brother, & the famous author-father who has a decades-old writer's block ~ but lacks Micawber's charm. Topaz, the stepmother, is artistically inclined to frequently 'air' her body on the glorious green hillsides. After the castle's American heir and his brother arrive, the story naturally progresses to 'marrying off' the two sisters.
Teen pulchritude living 'clueless' and tattered in a run-down castle adds up to comic situations and angles. The production is reasonably faithful to Dodie Smith's story. It definitely delivers a light interlude for romance fans in their teens and twenties. The film, rated "R" for some nudity, got scant distribution in the U.S., and that resulted in almost no press. At least watching the DVD will allow viewers to critique some discarded scenes AND even a different ending. ENJOY OFTEN ..... the FIFTH STAR is awarded for Beauty!
Movie Review: wonderful adaptation of a well-loved book
Summary: 5 Stars
I Capture the Castle, based on the 1933 novel of the same name by Dodie Smith, beautifully captures the characters and plot elements of the book and also stands on its own as an entertaining film. It is the story of a poor and isolated family in the English countryside. 17-year old Cassandra offers a charming (if flawed) narration to her family story -- the tale of how her brilliant novelist father's long-standing writer's block has affected her beautiful sister Rose and free-spirit stepmother Topaz. Things seem to be going nowhere but downhill until two brothers show up -- the new owners of the family's rundown castle. Though the plot has few surprises, the film is still quite engaging and fun, thanks in large part to a fine adaptation, great cast and terrific design. One needn't have read the book to enjoy the film, and those who love the book should not be disappointed.DVD extras include a commentary track with the director, writer and producer; an interview with Ramola Garai, who plays Cassandra (8 minutes); 4 deleted scenes and an alternate ending; a trailer. Language and subtitles are available in English only.