Going to a matinee on a Friday afternoon felt deliciously decadent as I abandoned my PC, locked the dogs to sleep in the cool house and treated myself to a viewing of 'Brideshead revisited'. All on my own - no neighbourly comments to distract, no popcorn to crunch, not even a chocolate bar to unwrap soundlessly - I feasted on the latest movie version of one of modern novels I most admire: 'Brideshead revisited' by Evelyn Waugh.
Emma Thompson made a stately, stern yet human Lady Marchmain, Michael Gambon was there as a crusty and repentent Lord Marchmain (just for you, Willow), Ben Wishaw as the tortured Sebastian, Hayley Atwell as a robust Julia and Matthew Goode as a cool yet not unaffected Charles Ryder. Castle Howard provided a magnificent Brideshead.
I enjoyed the movie but, of course, it cannot supplant Waugh's magnificent prose. Some may think the story a criticism of stern religion; others about illicit love in between-wars Britain. Personally, I think the main theme is about men and women's futile attempts to escape the Hound of Heaven.
"I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter." (Francis Thompson)
14 comments:
Very nice observations, Eleanor! We're not yet seen this adaptation. I have read Brideshead Revisited many times, and always come away a deeper sensibility similar to your own. I believe heaven is here and now while we live, it is up to us to make our own heaven on earth while we are here. :o) Happy Days, my friend ((HUGS))
I love your conclusion on the main theme and the beautiful quote from Thompson!
I must see this movie. I didn't realize that Michael Gambon plays the role of Lord Marchmain!
Very well observed.
I read the book twice and also had a good time seeing "Brideshead Revisited" some years ago on TV.
Each episode was a superb moment.
It's always a nice treat to revisit a friend-book, even when it's been made into a movie.
Eleanor, I really enjoyed this version, especially Emma Thompson's take on Lady Marchmain. I think it's Oscar-worthy.
I also quite liked the two young men who played Charles and Sebastian. You must read the posts below. I'm a long-time fan!
Kat
http://hyggedigter.blogspot.com/2008/02/friday-flashback-i-love-brits.html
http://hyggedigter.blogspot.com/2008/03/friday-flashback-part-i-just-because.html
I wonder if you saw the BBC production of this story? It was some years ago now.
We don't go to many movies, but we did see this one. I thought it was very interesting. I like movies set in those olden days. Makes me feel like I'm not so old.
Charlotte
Beautiful post.! Well observed... I preferred the book though...I always do; I've no idea why..!
I'm about to post; please come back and enjoy what I have to share..!
Thank you for stopping by and leaving that sweet comment! I hope you have a great day! xo Vanessa
I will have to see this one.Thank you for sharing Eleanor.
Wonderful post; you are so observant, you should write movie reviews! Well, I guess you just did! Thanks!
I have a rule... never watch a movie after reading the book. It always spoils the picture in my mind and I don't like that!
Looking forward to tea!
This is on me "to be seen" list. Your viewing sounds decadently indulgent, as you say. Just you and the movie, nothing to distract.
I can't imagine liking it more than the magnificent BBC television series, and Jeremy Iron's incomprable performance, however, I'm still curious to see how they condensed it all down to 2 hours.
Love the quote at the end, and with that selection of acting talent it is a must see.
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