Sunday, August 31, 2008

Better Than Expected Brideshead

I saw Brideshead Revisted and liked it better than expected. It was luscious, beautifully melancholy, gorgeous clothes. And better acted than I expected. Venice, Oxford, Castle Howard are all filmed to show off their best qualities. I found it all romantic.

Here's a review with which I agreed from The New York Observer, which concludes with the following:
I believe that Mr. Jarrold and his scenarists have been unusually faithful to the bleak vision of humanity Waugh presents in Brideshead Revisited, and in all his works. It is a first for me, and I hope a last. Consequently, I recommend the brilliant pessimism of this film to all my readers, who I hope will appreciate the exquisitely rendered truthfulness of the narrative. As for the unredeemably pleasure-seeking hedonists among you, don’t say I didn’t warn you. On the other hand, nothing is more depressing in these dire times than a steady diet of mindlessly escapist flicks.
I liked that line - "brilliant pessimism" Yes, it was brilliant.

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