[yasr_overall_rating]
In Victorian England, the independent and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak, a sheep farmer; Frank Troy, a reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood, a prosperous and mature bachelor.
David Nicholls’ adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s 1874 novel ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ is absolutely brilliant. This film gets everything right from Thomas Vinterberg’s direction to all of the actors who are each on the top of their game. Carey Mulligan is completely believable as Bathsheba Everdene, a hardworking yet fanciful young woman who desires independence, free from a husband controlling her body and mind.
Naturally, as great storytelling would dictate, Miss I-do-not-want-a-husband Everdene soon has more proposals than she knows what to do with. Her first suitor, Gabriel Oak, perfectly portrayed by Matthias Schoenaerts, is a man who is great with his hands as a shepherd and foreman. Her second suitor, William Boldwood – remarkably rendered by Michael Sheen – is great with his land and wealth. The third suitor to come sniffing about is Sergeant Francis Troy, dashingly depicted by Tom Sturridge, who is great with his words and charm. Faced with so many choices, Bathsheba struggles to “do what’s right,” as she is told by Mr. Oak.
This story has everything: drama, romance, action, humor, sorrow, and plot twists. The film makes it even better, setting the mood with the (mostly) peaceful pastoral scenes, the beautiful music, and subtlety of the acting. Mulligan and Sheen particularly have a talent for doing so much with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it facial twitch that really made for enjoyable scenes. “Far From the Madding Crowd” is sure to please anyone with a love of literature, drama, period pieces, or romance.
In select theaters including the Angelika Film Center in Plano May 8th
