Review of Far from the Madding Crowd (2015) by Peter B — 30 May 2015

Although it has been around for over 140 years, relatively few people today know much about the story on which the 2015 film "Far From the Madding Crowd" (PG-13, 1:59) is based. So, before I review the movie, I'd like to briefly review the history of the movie's story. First the title. The word madding means frenzied, or could be understood as short for maddening. This title seems rather strange when you realize that, even though the story does take place far from any cities, ideas such as the evils of city life or the need to get out of the city really have nothing to do with the plot.

English Romantic novelist and poet Thomas Hardy published the story in 1874, it became his first major literary success and he revised the story for 1895 and 1901 editions. Hardy's story is considered one of the most romantic in English literature and has inspired CD titles, a couple different plays, a musical, an opera, a ballet and, of course, several films over the past century. There was a TV movie version in 1998, a 1967 theatrical release starring Julie Christie, Terence Stamp, Peter Finch and Alan Bates, and even a silent film that arrived in the U.S. in 1916. So, how does this often-interpreted story translate to today?

The 2015 film version follows Hardy's version(s) very closely. The plot focuses on Bathsheba (pronounced BATH-sheh-buh) Everdene (Carey Mulligan), a strong, intelligent and independent woman working as a farmer in rural southern England. Her parents have long since passed, but Bathsheba is doing just fine, thank you very much. She's a 21st century girl... living in the late 19th century. She's also a little bit like "The Hunger Games" heroine Katniss Everdeen, who owes her last name (in spite of the slight spelling difference) to Hardy's heroine. Bathsheba is toiling away on her aunt's farm, when an uncle in Wessex dies and leaves his farm to her. She takes over managing the old place, determined to return it to its status as "one of the finest farms in the area." Bathsheba takes charge in no uncertain terms, hiring and firing at will, but also shows she cares for her workers. She's very hands-on and isn't afraid to get a little dirty or make compromises for the sake of the farm. Where she will not compromise, however, is her right to make her own decisions and her expectation to succeed, regardless of her gender, when she has earned it.

Bathsheba was a feminist, before anyone knew who what that was. Not only is she not looking for a husband, she doesn't need one, and doesn't even really want one. Regardless, men are attracted to her looks and her spirit. Over a fairly short period of time, Bathsheba receives proposals of marriage from three very different men - a hard-working shepherd (Matthew Schoenaerts), a wealthy land-owner (Michael Sheen) and a handsome and passionate soldier (Tom Sturridge). (Not bad for a girl who's never been kissed.) During the course of the story, whether Bathsheba chooses one of these men, goes from one to the other(s) or chooses to remain on her own... are plot points that I won't spoil for you. Let me just say that there a number of twists and turns and a few big surprises within this love... quadrilateral.

"Far From the Madding Crowd" has an interesting story, especially when you consider when it was originally written. What it might lack in big screen excitement, it makes up for with its many and varied developments among the four main characters. This movie is a bit short on passion, but strong performances (especially from Mulligan and Sheen), excellent character development and the portrayal of the highs and lows that these four people experience make for something of an emotional rollercoaster for the characters and the audience. Also to its credit, the film can be seen as symbolic and, therefore, as applicable to today's women (or men) as any modern romance. For example, do Bathsheba's three suitors each represent the choices that people often face in selecting a mate (friendship vs. security vs. excitement)? You decide. MY decision is to give this film a "B".