Review of Far from the Madding Crowd (2015) by Ted W — 23 May 2015

3 out of 5 stars. Worth seeing for Carey Mulligan's intelligent performance. She is one of the finest actresses of her generation with her wide range from "An Education" to "Drive, "Shame" and "The Great Gatsby.

" There are some problems though with this adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel being too on the nose in many creative choices. There is not much surprise, even if you've never seen previous versions, that go back to the silent era.

Bathsheba Everdene is a pre-feminist heroine, chased by three men - the loyal hunky farmhand, the lonely neurotic landowner and the spurious soldier. All three want her, but she doesn't know what she wants, so it doesn't go well for any of them.

Hardy was a social critic of his age, in the tradition of Dickens and Hugo, who attacked the middle & wealthy classes for their inhumane treatment of the lower impoverished class. His most famous works, "Tess of the d'Urbervilles," "Jude the Obscure" and "Far from the Madding Crowd," all feature downtrodden, suffering characters, abused by more fortunate people.

Sad and downbeat, his work makes visually interesting but depressing films, so they never score huge hits. Matthias Schoenaerts, as the farmhand, is not the same caliber actor as Mulligan and their scenes never catch fiery passion as intended.

The costumes, sets, animals & photography are all fine, but as Bathsheba strings her three suitors along with her own confusion, it starts to get too drawn out, since you know where it's all headed.

Still, if you like Carey Mulligan, she does excellent work and continues to impress.