last week during tropical storm faye, whit and i went to see "The Brideshead Revisted." it's the major motion picture adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's masterpiece, whittled down to 140 minutes. [there was an 8 hour mini-series of the novel that aired on PBS in the 80's starring Jeremy Irons, but i think i'll just watch that on my own and let you know how it turned out at some other point.] Whit thought:
"Within the walls of Oxford, boys become men. Their preppy style and befuddled jargon allows for cheery interactions, and flirtacious interludes. As the beginning setting of 'Brideshead Revisited' you know you are in for a story of english drama that would be told in tea rooms, while its american version would be shared in the locker room of a gay gym. Over all I found the film to have a slow pace, and the presentation of the homosexual tension is one that I have not found before. It was told in a way of class, and sophistication, without seeming over sexed. Getting to stare at Matthew Goode as the confused Charles, makes the seven dollars worth it, but the plot left something to be desired. The characters do not develop fully enough for my taste, and the "drama" is never really addressed. The problems seem to disappear as quickly as they came.Emma Thompson steals the show with her cold zealousness. I would recommend this film to those who are a fan of british cinema, or if you love akward homosexual tension between one good looking man and a pseudo alchy."
I usually don't add my 2 sheckels to others reviews, but as a former English major, an Anglophile and an admirer of Matthew Goode, i just have to add, it's a great film, that you will find yourself thinking about once it's over, but only to wonder what did the film leave out that would have made it better. it was definitely enjoyable, but incredibly dry and left me wanting more but not in the way most people would. My rating: 7.75/10
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