The film celebrates love, its devastation and all of its complexities
Director: Thomas Vinterberg
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, Tom Sturridge, Michael Sheen, Juno Temple
Running Time: 119 minutes
Rating: 12A
Release Date: May 1st, 2015
Thomas Hardy‘s classic novel FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD gets a new, stunning retelling from THE HUNT director, Thomas Vinterberg. With Carey Mulligan playing young Bathsheba Everdene, Vinterberg explores the famous story of love and its engulfing force, as headstrong Bathsheba is faced with three possible suitors. As a young woman determined to carve her own path in the male dominated world of 19th century Dorset, Bathsheba’s wonderfully independent world is soon thrown into the chaos that love and marriage brings; as three men enter her solitary life, bringing with them proposals, comfort, lust and protection.
The first is Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), a sheep farmer who’s intentions are sweet, honest and humble; he simply wants her as his wife. While denying his affections and seemingly cutting the ties between them, Mr.Oak and Bathsheba’s lives intertwine once more when she inherits a farm and finds herself in need of a talented sheep farmer. Michael Sheen plays Miss Everdene’s second and oldest love interest, Mr. Boldwood; a repressed yet kindhearted landowner who see’s Bathsheba as the answer to his lonely existence.
The third and final suitor comes in the form of young soldier, Sergeant Troy, played by Tom Sturridge. With his own heart weakened by a tragic misunderstanding, Troy finds solace in the arms of Bathsheba as he hones in to awaken her underlying sexual desire; making his intentions perfectly clear. All three actors approach these classic characters with their own individual strengths. While Schoenaerts’ takes to this leading role like a heart-throb duck to water, Sheen and Sturridge explore the idea of traditional love interests in these conflicting and challenging roles, giving audience a full spectrum of male characteristics and behaviour during the time setting.
Mulligan plays a charming and endearing Bathsheba, allowing the character’s faults to flow freely; while remaining strong, likable and at times; whimsically cheeky. The character is honest and strong, with Mulligan naturally stepping into the role with commitment and believability. Audiences are treated to an overflow of quirks, emotions and weaknesses; making the character completely relevant today despite its past setting. What is so impressive about Mulligan’s performance is the sheer honesty that comes with a character like Bathsheba. She makes mistakes, is stubborn, strong and foolish all at once, making her a difficult character to play; a task that Mulligan snatches up with eager and confident hands.
The real triumph of Vinterbeg’s sweeping romance is the sheer splendor in its sensory delight. With sophisticated cinematography from Charlotte Bruus Christensen, audiences can indulge in all the drama from intense close ups, quick zooms and rolling shots of the stunning locations. As viewers find themselves inhabitants of the Everdene farm, the seasons are beautifully displayed in the stunning glows of summer and spring, set against the stark and frosty winter months; allowing simple time lapse to become something artistic and suitably romantic. The score from Craig Armstrong is equally amorous and perfectly fitting for the setting and narrative.
Despite its roaring triumphs in visual standards, the film suffers from a modest running time of 119 minutes. The narrative could have easily grown stronger with more time to delve into the character’s complex and passionate motives. This may have enabled the film to grab that last knock of drama and emotional impact that goes beyond the predictable romance aspects, perhaps leading to a more fulfilling end for some surprisingly lovable characters.
Still, Vinterberg tackles this classic story with talent that goes beyond your average book report, but could have perhaps benefited from a little more bravery to push the boundaries of the films genre. With a poetic score and its soothing and whimsical visuals, FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD celebrates love and its devastation, while reminding audiences that a happy ending is never too far away.
Verdict
