Based on the literary classic by Thomas Hardy, Thomas Vinterberg's Far From The Madding Crowd tells the story of Bathsheba Everdene, a beautiful and fiercely independent woman, who attracts the eye of three very different men: Gabriel Oak, a sheep farmer; Frank Troy, a handsome sergeant whose foolhardy; and William Boldwood, a wealthy property owner who owns the property directly adjacent to Everdene. While many literary adaptions feel hopelessly dated, the first thing that jumps out about Vinterberg's Far From the Madding Crowd is how fresh and vibrant it is, thanks in part to wonderful cinematography. Between the sun-drenched pastoral landscapes, and Vinterberg's well-chosen compositions that seem to know exactly when to focus in on a character's emotions, Far From The Madding Crowd is a vibrant film that feels relevant and alive. Thanks to wonderful performances from Carey Mulligan, Mattias Schoenaerts, and Martin Sheen, is emotionally affecting, with Thomas Vinterberg's adaption seemingly far more focused on the complexities of love than English class distinction, exploring these three distinct character's emotions and desires. Mulligan portrays Everdene as a woman who is strong-willed and confident, but like any individual shows moments of weakness, as she falls victim to the chivalry of Frank Troy. Far From The Madding Crowd captures how woman were almost simply possessions in the 1800s, with the idea of a woman not needing the help of a man being an incredibly foreign concept. I found it fascinating that the first man Everdene becomes romantically involved with is Frank Troy, who also happens to be the only man who doesn't ask her to marry him right out of the gate - not showing the same possessive quality that was the norm fro the time. Conversely, Gabriel Oak is only able to finally win the affection of Everdene when he decides to stop protecting her, acknowledging that she can fight her own battles. While I've never read the book, it's clear that Far From the Madding Crowd is a beautifully realized romance, with full-fleshed out characters, all of which are caught in the intermingled web of love and desire.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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