Far From the Madding Crowd
UK/USA CERT 12A, 1h 59m
Directed by: Thomas Vinterberg
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Tom Sturridge, Martin Sheen, Matthias Schoenaerts
Doors open 7:00pm, Film 7:30 £6, Supper 9:30 £6, wine £11/bottle
Pay at the door, but last bookings 1200 Sunday 18th October
Bookings: filmnight@rockbournevillagehall.org.uk or phone: Lucy Matthews 01725 518695
Thomas Hardy excelled in portraying fascinating women and their situation in Victorian England. Bathsheba Everdene was perhaps the most independent and feisty of his creations; her problem was that she fell in love with the wrong man. Gabriel Oak, a farmer, loved her faithfully, William Boldwood – an older wealthy landowner – also loved her madly, but it is the swashbuckling but fairly worthless Sergeant Francis Troy whom she falls for – with tragic consequences. Much of the film is shot in a glowing Dorset and looks splendid. It may be a familiar story, but it is well worth seeing this faithful adaptation. Carey Mulligan is, once again, faultless and imperious as Bathsheba. Matthias Schoenaerts turns up again as the solid (and perfectly English) Gabriel Oak. Martin Sheen is a suitably neurotic Boldwood, and Tom Sturridge is perfect as the handsome cad Sergeant Troy. Director Vinterberg safely steers us to the bitter-sweet, familiar conclusion. Some will see only tragedy in Bathsheba’s fate, others will feel that she has, at last, made the right choice. Either way, this is a satisfying and noble film.
John Crome
Next film Wednesday 18th November: A Little Chaos
Christmas Party Friday 18th December