Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? Yes.
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Yes.
Secret ending? No.
Running time: 119 minutes (~2 hours)
“Far From the Madding Crowd” is a British romantic period drama that revolves around an independent young heiress of a farm. It is an adaptation of the book of the same name. It stars Carey Mulligan (Bathsheba Everdene), Matthias Schoenaerts (Gabriel Oak), Michael Sheen (William Boldwood), and Tom Sturridge (Frank Troy).
There’s just one word to describe the film: “beautiful.” It’s not that it’s a flamboyant, colourful film. It’s more of a movie that slowly takes its time to build a realistic fantasy of what period England, and in so doing, actualises a timeless story. Its appeal comes not just from aesthetics, but how everything comes together with one harmonious purpose.
Highlights
Carey Mulligan plays an independent but vulnerable Bathsheba
Carey Mulligan possesses that sort of beauty that makes you want to wrap your arms around her and protect her. This makes her perfect for the role of Bathesheba, a strong and capable woman who’s far too modern for her time, but yet has an inner longing to be with her loved one. Carey Mulligan pulls off this balance between strength and longing well, making it perfectly convincing how she can have so many suitors — including the audience.
Beautiful sets and scenic locations
You can tell that no expense was spared in creating the idyllic period in England that the movie is set in. All the indoor sets look painstakingly dressed, with the furniture carefully selected to maintain the soft, dreamy feeling of the film, while the outdoor locations are misty and help to romanticize whatever scene takes place there. You can’t help but fall in with the England presented in the movie.
Subtle but effective costume design
In addition to the wonderful sets created, the costumes are also another excellent element that help build an immersive world for the film. From priests to farmers, soldiers to merchants, all of the costumes help elevate the romanticised England that’s portrayed in the film. It’s not a visual feast for the eyes, but it’s more of a conscientious attention to detail that makes the movie such an enjoyable journey into the world of “Far From the Madding Crowd.”
Bathsheba & Gabriel’s romance
It’s apparent from the beginning that this will be the romantic couple that ends up together in the end, but their journey is so fraught with obstacles and misunderstandings that you’re never quite sure if there will be together. But it’s their chemistry, the way they look and behave with each other, and their strong wills that make you root for them to be together. And when they finally do, it’s a union that feels well earned and deserved.
Letdowns
The male characters are bland
While Bathsheba steals the show, the other three male characters seem rather one-dimensional by comparison. They lack the nuances and complexity that make Bathsheba so compelling to watch, and seem to only have a single defining characteristic that fuels their entire performance. It’s not that their performances are poor, but perhaps that they haven’t been given the chance or the back story to become more interesting protagonists.
“Far From the Madding Crowd” is such a beautiful adaptation that it makes you want to pick up the book and read it just to relive the experiences of Bathesheba. It’s a classic romance that’s executed beautifully and sincerely.
“Far From the Madding Crowd” opens in cinemas 2 July, 2015 (Thursday).
This review was also published on Yahoo.
Such a pleasure to spend a lazy Sunday evening lost in the mind of Thomas Hardy. Carrie Mulligan performance was carried all the earthy elegance of a self realized woman. I highly recommend this film.