Stream it now Brideshead Revisited 2008

 

Brideshead Revisited (2008) I always remember how much I loved the Brideshead series on PBS 1981. I had been meaning to rewatch that series but instead ordered this 2008 movie. I am unfamiliar with director Julian Jarrold. The memoirs of Captain Charles Ryder who is stationed at Brideshead Castle during WWII & remembers his involvement with the owners of the Brideshead estate: the aristocratic yet Catholic Marchmain- Flyte family & in particular Sebastian & Julia who are brother & sister. I always thought of this Evelyn Waugh story as a tale of guilt induced effete alcoholism. In the 20s 30s 40s was Oxford really the center of a underground hidden gay society? Seems that way. I was mainly attracted to the story as the outsider invited in to be around all that wealth. Unfortunately sexual guilt (in those & in current times) leads to alcoholism. In this story the family tried to quit being the enabler but the result was the breaking up of the family (and Ryder being banned from the estate). The drawn-out & unresolved feelings between Charles & Sebastian are consummated on screen only with a single kiss. This is a pretty chaste movie. Waugh seems to be writing about a longing nostalgia for a prewar British aristocracy life. The Production values of this movie are high. I was not familiar with all the actors but they seem to do a fine job. Emma Thompson was good in her role. The movie seemed to me to compress to much of this very long novel into too short of a time period. The movie runs 2 hours & 14 minutes. That is short compared to the PSB mini series. So here important scenes feel rushed or a little out of place. This movie kind of simplifies the book in that it presents us with religion as more of an issue. Religion governing the mothers & the children's lives. The daughter confirms the son does not as he is attracted to men & drinks heavily into alcoholism. (In a fatalistic sort of way) . This is an excellent film but I prefer the PBS miniseries or the book.

I enjoyed this film and the twisting plot. It was a little slow at a few points, but overall I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Very touching at times and shows the fragility of individuals and how wealth and families influence lives and people's actions.

It's not too bad as films go but it borrows heavily from the BBC episodes from the 1980s and it really doesn't have the right pace for what it's borrowing. Also, where the hell is Anthony Blanche's stutter? There was a moment where he attempted it and it was pathetic! I adore Evelyn Waugh but this really doesn't live up to the book or the episodes.

"Brideshead Revisited" starts in the 1920's as Charles Ryder(Matthew Goode) attends Oxford University as a first year history student. His cousin Jasper(Richard Teverson) gives him a tour around campus, informs him of the social rules and advises him to move his room from the ground floor. At which point, if on cue, Sebastian Flyte(Ben Whishaw) barges in and vomits on his floor. He apologizes profusely and he and Charles become good friends quickly, Sebastian even taking his poorer friend to the family home, Brideshead, for a quick visit. As they are leaving, Charles glances at Sebastian's sister Julia(Hayley Atwell) for a second. Ten years later, Charles will be a successful painter, encountering Julia while returning from abroad.

"Brideshead Revisited" is an engaging, well-photographed and handsomely produced period piece. Surprisingly, the emphasis is not on class divisions, as Charles and Sebastian both have trouble fitting in with their respective families. What it comes down to is religion but not a specific belief system, just the severity of it, for there is a good deal of difference between the Catholicism practiced by Sebastian's mother(Emma Thompson) and the looser version observed in Italy. Even Brideshead cannot escape this influence, as it reminds me of a beautifully decorated mausoleum which would explain why the Flyte children thrive once they are away from it, especially considering Sebastian's attraction to other men. And the Flyte household is not the only inflexible entity, as Charles' atheism can be just as bad as any religious belief.

Note: I should mention that I have not seen the 1981 miniseries of the same name. Maybe when I retire...

The preview was misleading. It looked more intense than it was. The acting was suberb, and the cinematography was amazing. I really liked that aspect, but it was a dry movie

As much as I am a huge fan of Bridehead Revisited and of Evelyn Waugh's works, I was particularly disturbed by the typical Illumninati conditioning used in the film. Where was it in the story that Charles Rider and Sabastian shared a lingering kiss in either the book or original BBC production (which captured the essence/theme of the story: Memory). I have no repect for a director who uses someone's novel and manipulates it into a platform to impose their agenda to the audience. As usual everyone gets enamoured witht he setting and don't notice the deception being portrayed. There was never a love triange between Charles, Sabatian and Julia. This movie was a beautiful rip-off.

Director Julian Jarrold delivers a tour de force film in the shape of Brideshead Revisited. The film tells the story of a middle class boy in 1930's Britain named Charles Ryder who while at university begins to hob nob with the British aristocracy. The principle action of the film takes place around World War II, and displays Emma Thompson in a marvelous performance as Lady Marchmain, and Ben Whishaw in an amazing turn as Sebastian Flyte.

Combine these factors with a well crafted script, lush sets, good cinematography, and a great score and you have one of the best of the year.

Bottom Line: **** Watch it with high tea!

Absolutely rotten..Yes, Emma Thompson is great as Lady Marchmain...obtuse with no idea of the great harm she causes
everyone around her. However, most of the irony and all of the character development is totally gone.

Brideshead Revisited, in my opinion, is Evelyn Waugh's best
novel..and i know it fairly well. This movie version was an
disfiguring cut and paste rendition. The BBC series was a much
better effort.

Although I never really followed the series I still think that was better

Fell asleep several times and woke up, but never felt I lost my place. BORING!