Review of Far from the Madding Crowd (2015) by Joe H — 21 Aug 2015
A disappointment, and a misstep for the regency period genre. The screenplay doesn't give its characters room to breathe or grow, and Bathsheba's suitors are never allowed to evolve beyond caricature.
That's partly because the film puts all its eggs in one basket, focusing most of the attention on Bathsheba while leaving the other characters to dwindle in the background as plot devices and cheap, symbolic personifications.
The film is purely plot-driven but makes little effort to establish an environment, restricting its narrative potential. The cinematography is gorgeous, and Mulligan is terrific, but these were expected.
Elsewhere, the film's imperfections are all too apparent.
This review of Far from the Madding Crowd (2015) was written by Joe H on 21 Aug 2015.
Far from the Madding Crowd has generally received positive reviews.
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