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Reviews
Brideshead Revisited (2008)
Succinct Brilliance- better than the famous Granada Television series
This new version of 'Brideshead Revisited' captures succinctly, and in many ways, more effectively than the famous Granada Television serial, the wit and melancholy of Evelyn Waugh's book. The Granada serial captured the book faithfully, but one could say, too faithfully for a translation to screen. Amongst all the immense dialogue of this series, one can lose some of the brevity of Evelyn Waugh's wit. It turned a clever and sad book into feeling like an immense tome.
The new film version, captures all the feeling of the original television series, whilst retaining Waugh's wit. You comprehend all of the central tragedies and Christian belief exploration, whilst being able to enjoy the humour which arises from Waugh's characters. This is quite remarkable considering that there is less screen time given to the characters, such as Charles' father (Patrick Malahide) and Lord Marchmain (Michael Gambon). It is as if the producers said to themselves, "Let us get the best actors we can for all roles in this production, so that these characters can be effectively brought to life.". All the actors are wonderful and Michael Gambon and Patrick Malahide are especially impressive in their capturing the essence of their characters, given the time allowed.
The central characters of Charles Ryder, (Matthew Goode) Sebastian Flyte, (Ben Whishaw) Lady Marchmain (Emma Thompson) and Julia Flyte (Hayley Atwell) are beautifully realised. Matthew Goode is a bit like a slightly, more sympathetic version of the same character that Jeremy Irons played in the original. This is not a complaint but just a testament to how well Irons brought to life the character. Ben Whishaw is a stand-out and it is a pleasure to see a more obviously gay and mannered, pathetic Sebastian. He captures so well the fickle nature of the character with a gangly, waifish grace which is a joy to watch. This grace of movement assists in the sorrow we as an audience feel when we see his demise. Emma Thompson is, as always, wonderful as Lady Marchmain. She manages to capture the intimidating impressiveness of Lady Marchmain, whilst making her a character we can sympathise with. Hayley Atwell is incredibly charming and vivacious as Julia Flyte. We can understand her appeal and sympathise completely with her inner struggles.
As with many modern period film productions, the production and cinematography of this film is rich and sumptuous. They filmed the setting of Bridesehead at Castle Howard, a very wise and generous tribute to the original Granada series as this estate has become synonymous with the idea of "Brideshead". The soundtrack is superb as well. It perfectly assists as an undercurrent to the film, emotionally elaborating on the story. It is a grand, melancholy, yearning score which even achieves the sense of the sublime.
I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys a beautifully made period/literary production.If you loved the original, then please give this version a chance. You may find yourself unexpectedly delighted.
The Fountain (2006)
Achingly beautiful and genuinely moving
Firstly, I do not know how Darren Aronofsky was able to direct this film with his partner, Rachael Weisz, as the beautiful, captive queen and dying wife, without crying every few minutes whilst working on the film. Actually, did anyone on this film manage a day without being touched by its aching emotion particularly its representation of desperation felt when faced with the dying of a loved one? And this emotion is not simply played out, but the marvel and originality of the film is seeing this horrible reality explored through such highly imaginative story lines and symbolism.
The key to the film is to understand that one storyline is a present reality, whilst the other two are imaginative explorations (written by the two characters in the "present" reality) of the themes of dying, seeking life and holding onto a loved one.
The film is absolutely stunning in its original vision with dense, poetic and symbolic imagery linking each of the stories together. Certain images such as the tree of life, the nebula and Weisz herself as the Spanish queen, are so beautiful they will remain with me forever. You need to pay attention as rewards come when you can recognise even certain camera angles repeating themselves throughout the three stories, unifying them.
Because the film is unconventional in its storytelling and daring in its other-worldly imagery, it requires actors whom you immediately relate to, and Rachael Weisz and Hugh Jackman are perfectly cast in these roles. They convey a real conviction in their acting and genuinely seem to convey heart-breaking fragility, strength and pain.
I would recommend this film to anyone with sensitivity, empathy imagination and soul.
Bionic Woman (2007)
Promising but is clearly indebted to seminal science-fiction
The new "Bionic Woman", while clearly indebted to key science-fiction films, is slick, engaging and shows promise. It is more obviously referencing the feel of "Blade Runner" with its moody, rainy night cityscape and even the soundtrack recalls Vangelis' work on that film. I'm sure themes of "what makes us human?" and the ethics of science and biotechnology will be lightly explored, but all of this I am eager to see in this new show.
The characters are already intriguing and engaging from the first episode. Michelle Ryan quickly gains sympathy for her character, Jamie Sommers, who is struggling with the duality of being youthfully independent while a guardian for her younger sister... then struggling with being "repaired" into a bionic woman by an impassioned lover/scientist not wishing to lose her after a horrific car accident - or is the crash entirely purposeful, and if so, for what reasons? Yikes!
Katee Sackhoff, of the new "Battlestar Galactica", is a pleasure to watch as the rabid first bionic-woman, Sarah Corvis, with her wicked glint in the eye, calculated smile and gleefully tough persona. In fact, the women of this show seem to be the strongest performers by far, although credit goes to Chris Bowers for making the lover/scientist, Will Anthros, an intriguing character- is it passion which motivates him to repair Jamie, or something else?
Yes, there are hammy moments and moments where the dialogue was wooden (this could be said about so many prime-time shows!) and elements of the plot don't quite make sense- why is such a gorgeous, smart-seeming creature like Jamie, with a scientist for a boyfriend, working in a bar? But overall I found the show to be exciting and enjoyable, albeit it light-entertainment. Let's wait and see what is to come before laying down final judgements.