A Review of Brideshead Revisited (2008)
A More Glamorous Version of Evelyn Vaugh's Classic Novel
Evelyn Waugh’s classic novel tells the story of Charles Ryder. A young artist from a middle-class family, Charles meets the fascinating Sebastian Flyte at Oxford. Sebastian introduces him to the splendid world of his family at the huge mansion of Brideshead. These very Catholic, English aristocrats have many servants and their own chapel.
Charles soon discovers that ‘not all is as it seems’ at Brideshead. Lady Marchmain, the formidable mother of the Flytes, rules her children through her religion and her excessive charm. Trouble arises when Charles becomes attracted to Sebastian’s sister, Julia, and Sebastian’s excessive drinking becomes worse.
The Acting in Brideshead Revisited
It must have been very daunting for Matthew Goode (Charles Ryder) and Ben Whishaw (Sebastian) to follow in the footsteps of Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews, who played the roles in the television series. Matthew Goode looks and speaks very like Jeremy Irons, but his acting is a little wooden at times. Ben Whishaw is also rather insipid as Sebastian and his acting is not nearly as moving as that of Anthony Andrews. It must be admitted that Anthony Andrew’s good looks helped him in this part of the ‘golden boy’, who carries a teddy-bear and is still very attached to his mother.
Hayley Atwell, who plays Sebastian’s beautiful sister, Julia, is excellent in her part. She portrays a girl conflicted between Catholicism and a great love with great truth.
It is the older actors who stand out here. Emma Thompson is wonderful as the intimidating Lady Marchmain, who ruins her children’s lives. Michael Gambon rivals Sir Laurence Olivier as Lord Marchmain, in his refuge in Italy. Greta Scacci plays Marchmain’s mistress with her usual panache and grace.
The Script of Brideshead Revisited
As this is a movie version it doesn’t go into the story with as much depth as the television series. This improved it in some ways. The roles of the annoying Anthony Blanche, Cordelia and Snodgrass have been cut drastically. They tended to be tedious in the TV series.
The Catholicism is, surprisingly, a bit clearer and it is easier to understand its influence on the family. The family is seen going to Mass every day, for example, and Julia runs straight into church after kissing Charles.
Lady Marchmain’s role has also been shortened, which is a pity. Emma Thompson is so good in the part that it is disappointing not to see more of her. The script manages to cut straight to the heart of this story of lost innocence amid a glittering world.
Overall View of Brideshead Revisited
This beautiful looking movie is well-worth seeing. Many will not like it as much as the television series, but in many ways it is just as good. Excellent photography helps bring the glamorous world of Brideshead to life.
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