Review of Brideshead Revisited (2008) by Liam P — 22 Oct 2008

The story at its heart is a timeless one and the study of class is perhaps more important than ever, however, the strengths of the initial scenes of this latest version of Waugh's story are completely undone by a lacklustre final quarter that veers headlong into unsatisfying melodrama.

Part of the problem is that Charles as a character isn't fleshed out enough and it's never quite unclear enough whether his motivations are one's based on class status or not. In the end he's not a questionable enough presence in the film.

That's not Goode's fault either as he is quite a beautiful presence on screen and his scenes with Whishaw are both painful and joyful all at once. Whishaw steps light years ahead of his performance in Perfume, he's very good, and whilst Thompson is far too young to play Lady Marchmain she's a fantastic actress who still brings a real power to her turn.

The other standouts are a great Scacchi, a once again surprsiningly effective Gambon (The Good Shepherd) and a scene-stealing Patrick Malahide. The costumes are top-notch but nothing else will linger long in the memory.

A pleasant enough diversion that won't shake one's earth in terms of great filmmaking.