for, a storyline which keeps your attention and surprises you throughout and a definite feeling of satisfaction at the end. It is very well made and acted and is already a classic for me.The film looks and feels and sounds stunning and sumptuous and epic. The long sweeping shots of the scenery is beautiful and perfectly captures the countryside Hardy described so vividly in the novel. The music is beautiful too - dramatic and haunting by turns to fit the narrative and cinematography and has a very Celtic, folklore feel to it, which fits perfectly with the feel of the film. These qualities alone makes it well worth a cinema visit as opposed to a DVD/TV watch.Overall, the story is quite a simple one, a mixture of a love story, coming of age drama and the heroines fight to find her place in a very male dominated world. The film and the heroine Bathsheba do feel very modern and though it's set in the late 19th century, the story definitely resonates to today's society. This gives the film a lovely timeless feel to it and draws you in. Bathsheba is a very humanised heroine, independent and headstrong, clever and confident, but with weaknesses and vices and she does make a lot of understandable mistakes. Yet for all it's predictability in places, there are a lot of elements within this story that definitely take you by surprise. It's a film more about the journey and the choices and mistakes made along the way than the destination.For a period drama, the pacing is quite fast, yet it doesn't feel rushed. Having only just read the book, I was very much aware of the changes and a lot has been cut out. Yet the different turns the story takes still make sense and it still takes time to flesh out the characters so you do care about them. This is mainly due to the acting, which I cannot fault and there is no weak link for me. The characters work very well together and the sparks fly and the chemistry sizzles in all the right places. A lot is said by the expressions, tones and actions of the actors so I never felt perplexed by their character arc although perhaps my understanding was greater, having just read the book . Also, a lot of the details are there, but subtly shown, with a very clever use of lighting, close ups vs long sweeping shots and locations, with most of it being set outdoors in great contrast to other much more confined or intimate surroundings.Whilst the film does cut out a lot from the book and changes some scenes, it is quite a faithful adaption and stays true to the characters and story. There are very few extra scenes and the changes make sense, and mainly there to expediate the plot. The love story and Bathsheba's character arc definitely takes prominence, but this works well within the media of film. In fact, some of the changes and omissions make it preferable to the book for me, in particular the characterisation of Bathsheba. I found some of her choices and subsequent reactions to them make much more sense here in the film.The only criticism I can really give it is that it could have been a little longer, with perhaps a few more scenes, particularly between Bathsheba and Troy, to flesh out more of the story. A few little scenes of the workers would have been nice too, but I didn't feel this was lacking, either.It's definitely a very beautiful and sumptuous film and one I know I'll watch time and time again. The story will surprise you and the characters certainly made me care for them. As a film, it's pretty conventional for a period drama, not really groundbreaking or different, but then I don't think it needs to be, so it's not a criticism for me.The film does exactly what it says on the tin in a wonderful and sumptuous and breathtaking way and it's one of those films that will stick with me for a long, long time.

him down, despite his great looks and manner. She declares she is not ready to be any man's property. Soon after, their fortunes are reversed. Gabriel loses his flock tragically, because of an over-zealous sheepdog. After selling everything he owns, he must vacate his house and look for work. Meanwhile, Bathsheba inherits a farm from her uncle and decides to run the place herself. It has a large beautiful house and successful fields. Amazingly, Gabriel comes by, helps put out a fire, and is hired as her shepherd. However, he is keenly aware that, because of his poverty, Bathsheba may never look his way again. There's more. B suddenly gets two more suitors. One is a neighboring, rich, confirmed bachelor, Mr. Boldwood Michael Sheen , whose heart was broken long ago. That is, until Miss Everdene arrives and impetuously sends him a valentine. Not long after, a redcoat soldier, Frank Troy Tom Sturridge meets Bathsheba in the woods and becomes strongly attracted to this independent woman and, alas for Gabriel, visa versa. Who will, if any, our headstrong heroine choose? This film could hardly be more exceptional or exquisite. The cast is superb, starting with Mulligan and Schoenharts, and continuing down to the smallest role. Then, the story is a heart touching masterpiece, as Hardy put down on paper, and this film brings to a wider audience. Add on glorious scenery, beautiful costumes, and a superb direction and the film watching world is enthralled. This reviewer knows it will be the best film she will see all year and, as soon as it is released on DVD, will be first in line. So, movie fans will be well advised to go far and near to garner a cinema seat.

Bathsheba. A woman who celebrates her own direction and often does so alone. A gorgeously done movie!

her and three men in her life: Gabriel Oak Matthias Schoenaerts , the hunk of a farm manager; William Boldwood Michael Sheen , the wealthy neighbouring landowner; and Sergeant Troy Tom Sturridge , a dashing Han-Solo style rogue, flash-as-you-like in his scarlet army uniform. In reviewing this film I need to declare a couple of loves.Firstly, Dorset. Of all the English counties, this has to be one of the most glorious. Green rolling hills, dramatic coastline such as that at Golden Cap featured in the film , quaint villages and – most importantly in this context – gorgeously photogenic. Hopefully, this might tempt more visitors to stop there rather than 'driving on through' to Devon and Cornwall for their holidays.Secondly, and with apologies to the wife, Carey Mulligan. To be clear, this is not a sordid sexually-motivated affair although there was THAT shower-scene in "Shame" but a deep love of her acting talents and screen presence. This is a love affair long in the making, beginning ten years ago with her startling presence in Bleak House at the age of 20 looking much, much younger ; her stunning minx-like Dr Who performance as Sally Sparrow in "Blink"; and on through her breakout movie performance in "An Education" in 2009. Where Mulligan excels is in roles where she can play a strong, confident and independent woman, so the role of Bathsheba is perfect for her. She is utterly believable as the 1870's landowner holding her own against the men-folk, and even pulling off the somewhat out-of-character plot twist half-way through the film. The supporting cast is also excellent. The ever-reliable Sheen "The Queen"; "Frost/Nixon" delivers a heart-breaking performance as the love-lorn Boldwood; Schoenaerts recently in "Suite Française" is manly enough with a scythe to no doubt set female hearts a flutter; and Sturridge is deliciously unpleasant in his powerful role. Above all, this is just a crackingly good story, through David "One Day" Nicholls's tight screenplay. If you decide to avoid this film because it is "old stuff", think again. The roller-coaster ride of the plot gives UK and US 'soaps' a good run for their money in the drama stakes, and the denouement is both surprising and satisfying. Direction is by the relatively unknown to me at least Thomas Vinterberg "The Hunt" , but big kudos needs to go to Vinterburg's collaborator Charlotte Bruus Christensen for the stunning cinematography: some of the scenes notably the harvesting scene towards the end of the movie are bucolically gorgeous.Also worth noting is the soundtrack by the brilliant but sparingly used Craig Armstrong "Love Actually", "The Great Gatsby" which is luscious and suits the film to a tee. The woodland rendezvous scene makes your hair stand on end and this is largely down to the music combined with Claire Simpson's excellent editing.I struggle to find aspects to criticise. I was gripped, and suitably shocked at the right moments, which is just what you want for a good night out at the movies. Having already praised the cinematography, one gripe I would have is with the lens flare at the end of the film natural this time, rather than of the JJ Abrams variety which was annoyingly distracting to me in the closing scene: but I recognise this is a personal complaint that I might be alone in. Just a word of warning as well for animal lovers: that despite it being a UK 12A certificate, there are some pretty torrid scenes with sheep and a dog that might upset sensitive viewers - perhaps it should have been given a "Ewe" certificate that joke will only work for UK readers! .In summary, this is a treat for a more elderly audience, but should be a must see for audiences of all ages as a rollicking good tale, well told and beautifully shot. If you enjoyed this review, please see the multi-media version at bob-the-movie-man.com and enter your email address to receive future reviews. Thanks.

a few mistakes over the Fanny Robin scenario. :

to be true to yourself under outside pressures which, I feel, remains as true today as it ever did. The soundtrack does manage a few mis-steps, but is generally lovely and the overall package feels very polished and beautiful. Casting is solid and the script manages to be modern without losing any of the charm of the classic. The story itself, if you don't already know it, is touching and heart warming - human and full of love and mistakes - and just prefect as a result.

like Tess, unfashionable strength of character although some accuse him of misogyny .In this latest film adaptation it's clear that Thomas Vinterberg is looking to the modern end of this particular spectrum and in casting Carey Mulligan as the film's undoubted hero, Bathsheba Everdene great name , he's looking to celebrate female characters in a way that quite rarely gets a screen outing.I personally believe Carey Mulligan is work in progress for one of the all time great female cinema actors and unquestionably this is another CV highlight. And it's obvious that Vintenberg and his cinematographer, Charlotte Bruus Christensen, share my view as the camera literally seduces her from start to finish.But there's also outstanding male 'eye candy' too in the form of Mathias Schoenaerts as the audience's front runner for the formidable Miss Everdene's hand in marriageDreamy. That's the word I'd use to best describe this languid evocation of a time when men were men and women were their compliant concubines - but Miss Everdene is anything but.By languid, some would say slow and one can't argue with that, because if you're looking for action you've come to the wrong place for that. But for this viewer at least it was simply a gentle and rewarding unveiling of a classic tale with a strong cast Jessica Barden has a sweet supporting role as Miss Everedene's companion, Michael Sheen is brilliant as the bereft suitor Mr Boldwood and Tom Sturridge is suitably creepy as Miss Everdene's ill fated first husband and caddish Sergeant Francis Troy.So if you're looking for accomplished film making in every single department with a great but slightly unlikely story, and you're in no hurry, then this is the movie for you.

strong feminist statement just as visible. Hardy was apparently ahead of his time. The lead character in this movie, Bathsheba played quite well and quite strongly by Carey Mulligan , greatly resembles the female protagonist in Candleford, Dorcas Lane, in appearance and demeanor. Or perhaps it's more accurate to say it the other way around since the Candleford novel was written 65 years later than Hardy's and the TV series was written more than 100 years later.The acting in this movie is solid and the cinematography is both luscious and modern. The plot...well it's from a 19th century novel about a strong-willed female making every possible wrong choice affording numerous growth and learning opportunities until finally "doing the right thing" after consuming nearly two hours of screen time. I'm certain that Jane Austin and Thomas Hardy fans will love this movie.We saw this movie as part of the Camera Cinema Club series in San Jose, California.

charismatic, leading lady, making decisions that come at a price. Schoenaerts, Sturridge and Sheen add flavour to this period drama, their personalities and dialogue capturing what action cannot.