Review of Brideshead Revisited (2008) by Chris H — 18 May 2011

While the tv series dispensed with a script and simply filmed from the book, this film takes some quite severe liberties in its attempt to condense Evelyn Waughâ(TM)s classic novel. Neither approach is entirely successful.

While the tv series wound up being dull and overlong, the film succeeds in covering as much of the book as could reasonably be expected in two hours but shifts the dynamics between the characters so dramatically that it feels slightly off-kilter.

However, the handling of the religious theme is interesting, as the criticism of Catholicism is less harsh than in the book and Julia and Sebastian seem to gain a sad sort of peace only when they have lost or given up everything and recognised Godâ(TM)s love.

I really liked Hayley Atwell as Julia and I thought Ben Whishaw was astonishingly good as Sebastian, but Emma Thompson failed to strike the fear of God into me as she should have done as Lady Marchmain and Matthew Goode could have done much more to develop the central character of Charles.

Overall, I would say it is a solid if not flawless film, lifted at times by some strong performances.