Brideshead Revisited reviews
Review by on 1 Oct 2008
If the title of 'best British film in years' seems like damning Jarrold's picture with faint praise then rest assured, this one is a minor masterpiece. With outstanding performances by its young cast (especially Ben Wishaw) and beautiful cinematography, BRIDESHEAD REVISITED will make you laugh, make you cry and make you angry...in that order.
I have never seen the television adaptation nor read Waugh's novel, however, so I am basing this review solely on the film's own merits. As a film in its own right it is both emotionally and intellectually engaging and is perfectly self-contained.
The direction is superb and Joe Wright's ATONEMENT (which covered some similar ground) pales in comparison.
If the title of 'best British film in years' seems like damning Jarrold's picture with faint praise then rest assured, this one is a minor masterpiece. With outstanding performances by its young cast (especially Ben Wishaw) and beautiful cinematography, BRIDESHEAD REVISITED will make you laugh, make you cry and make you angry...in that order.I have never seen the television adaptation nor read Waugh's novel, however, so I am basing this review solely on the film's own merits. As a film in its own right it is both emotionally and intellectually engaging and is perfectly self-contained.
The direction is superb and Joe Wright's ATONEMENT (which covered some similar ground) pales in comparison.
Review by on 28 Sep 2008
An excellent book, a much-loved TV adaptation, why did they bother with this woeful film version?
An excellent book, a much-loved TV adaptation, why did they bother with this woeful film version?
Review by on 27 Sep 2008
The task of adapting a beloved novel is never an easy one. It becomes all the more unenviable when there exists already an equally beloved BBC adaptation, and with it hoards of fans thirsty for the blood of anyone threatening to set foot on hallowed ground. Such die-hards can rest assured; there’s nothing in Brideshead Revisited to justify such hysteria and although it feels, at best, loosely inspired by its source material, it emerges nonetheless as an enjoyable and occasionally inspired period drama.
The main problem here is a tendency to oversimplify, the filmmakers’ approach leaving disappointingly little to the imagination. What is delicately hinted at in the text plays out explicitly – the homoerotic undertone to Charles and Sebastian’s relationship, and more problematically an overt early attraction between Charles and Julia. While such scenes alter the character dynamics in drastic and not necessarily positive ways, they are both written well and filmed so beautifully that they can and deserve to be enjoyed on their own terms.
Fortunately the performances are also accomplished; Goode, channelling Jeremy Irons for all he’s worth, is affable and appropriately urbane. The reliably excellent Whishaw brings delicate charisma to Sebastian, although to an extent he represents the film as a whole – beautiful to look at, frequently diverting but strangely unappealing, lacking the charm and allure one feels he ought to possess.
Waugh devotees expecting a faithful adaptation are likely to be disappointed, as is anybody hoping for new insight into the material. But for those willing to sit back and accept this as the shallow, visually lush pleasure it ultimately is, there is still plenty to enjoy here.
Emma Dibdin, Festival Daily
The task of adapting a beloved novel is never an easy one. It becomes all the more unenviable when there exists already an equally beloved BBC adaptation, and with it hoards of fans thirsty for the blood of anyone threatening to set foot on hallowed ground. Such die-hards can rest assured; there’s nothing in Brideshead Revisited to justify such hysteria and although it feels, at best, loosely inspired by its source material, it emerges nonetheless as an enjoyable and occasionally inspired period drama.The main problem here is a tendency to oversimplify, the filmmakers’ approach leaving disappointingly little to the imagination. What is delicately hinted at in the text plays out explicitly – the homoerotic undertone to Charles and Sebastian’s relationship, and more problematically an overt early attraction between Charles and Julia. While such scenes alter the character dynamics in drastic and not necessarily positive ways, they are both written well and filmed so beautifully that they can and deserve to be enjoyed on their own terms.
Fortunately the performances are also accomplished; Goode, channelling Jeremy Irons for all he’s worth, is affable and appropriately urbane. The reliably excellent Whishaw brings delicate charisma to Sebastian, although to an extent he represents the film as a whole – beautiful to look at, frequently diverting but strangely unappealing, lacking the charm and allure one feels he ought to possess.
Waugh devotees expecting a faithful adaptation are likely to be disappointed, as is anybody hoping for new insight into the material. But for those willing to sit back and accept this as the shallow, visually lush pleasure it ultimately is, there is still plenty to enjoy here.
Emma Dibdin, Festival Daily
Film details
Brideshead Revisited
NEW FEATURES
Director: Julian Jarrold
Actor: Matthew Goode
Actor: Ben Whishaw
Actor: Hayley Atwell
Actor: Emma Thompson
Actor: Michael Gambon
Actor: Matthew Goode
Actor: Ben Whishaw
Actor: Hayley Atwell
Actor: Emma Thompson
Actor: Michael Gambon
UK, 2008.
132 mins. English.
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