Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Brideshead Revisited Movie Review
Brideshead Revisited is a film adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s acclaimed novel of same name. The novel was first published in 1945 and has been regarded as one of the British literary classics. David Yates was originally assigned as the director of this film. When he was attached to his project, he secured Jude Law, Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany as Sebastian, Julia and Charles respectively. However, Yates had to step aside when he was offered to direct Harry Potter The Order of Phoenix. Julian Jarrold (Becoming Jane) took over the project, along with Jeremy Brock (Last King of Scotland) and Andrew Davies (Bridget Jones Diary) as the screenwriters.There are a number of notable similarities between the protagonist of the book, Charles Ryder and Evelyn Waugh himself. Both Ryder and Waugh went to Hertford College, Oxford; studied history and were much more interested in painting than being a history scholar. In fact, Waugh only graduated from Hertford with a third- class-degree and left Oxford before he finished his studies. When asked of whether he played any sports, his answer was “I drank for Hertford.” Waugh was known to dabble in homosexuality while he was in Oxford, although that was never proven. As for Charles Ryder, his relationship with Sebastian Flyte was always questionable. Was it merely platonic, or was there more to their friendship?
Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode) bonded with Lord Sebastian Flyte (Ben Whishaw) after the drunken Sebastian vomited all over Charles’ room on the first night he moved into Oxford. The following day, Sebastian apologised by sending him flowers and asking him out to lunch. They quickly became the best of friends, often using the Latin term contra mundum when they talked to each other. It’s always going to be them, against the world. However, things became increasingly complicated when Charles met Sebastian’s family. Lady Marchmain (Emma Thompson) is a staunch Catholic who ruled the household with a firm hand. She had four children; Lord Brideshead ‘Birdie’, Julia, Sebastian and Cordelia. From the moment Charles laid eyes on Julia (Hayley Atwell), he was mesmerised. Nevertheless, Charles’ feelings for Julia became a cloud that hanged upon his friendship with Sebastian.
As expected, Emma Thompson’s performance as Lady Marchmain was brilliant. Her cold and steely demeanor gave me chills to the bone. I completely understood why her children behave like nervous wrecks whenever she was around. Ben Whishaw was marvelous as Sebastian Flyte, the charming and flamboyant son who constantly struggled with his homosexuality and how it made him a constant disappointment to his mother. Sebastian dealt with these issues through drinking and avoiding his family as much as he could.
The main theme of the movie is Catholicism, although the movie tried its best to downplay its religious content. Every main character in the movie struggled with guilt, and then in the end they were redeemed through the power of grace. Julia always thought of herself as a bad girl, and married Rex because it was the right thing to do. Poor Sebastian, who often called himself a heathen, moved to Morocco and spent his life at a monastery while dealing with his alcoholism.
I really enjoyed Brideshead Revisited because of its engaging story that concentrated on the universal themes of love, friendship and religion. The performances were outstanding, the dialogue witty and the scenery breathtaking.
Now, I just have to head to the bookshop and buy the book.
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