Review of Brideshead Revisited

Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode) embarks on a college career at England's Oxford University in the 1920's. Ensconsed firmly in the middle class, Charles is befriended soon after his arrival by a fellow student, Lord Sebastian Flyte (Ben Whishaw), who is gay and very, very rich. They begin a tentative relationship and, not long after this, Sebastian takes Charles to his family's breathtaking estate in the countryside. The young lord wants his new companion to meet his loving nanny, who still resides on the premises. But, the return of Sebastian's mother, Lady Marchmain (Emma Thompson) and young, beautiful sister Julia (Hayley Atwell) cuts the visit short as the aristocrat hustles Charles away from the scene. He declares that he does not want Charles to meet his poisonous family. But, they do all meet again when, on summer break, Sebastian summons Charles to his home, Brideshead, to comfort him over a broken foot. It is there that Charles moons over the opulent mansion and also learns of Lady Marchmain's staunch Catholic views and considerable influence over her offspring's life decisions. Also, Charles finds himself romantically drawn to Julia as well as her brother. The young trio set off very soon for Venice, to visit the family's patriarch (Michael Gambon) and his Italian mistress, Kara (Greta Scacchi). Events in the city of canals, however, set in motion a catastrophic change in Charles' life and, ultimately, a different direction for all of the others, too. How will the winds blow for Charles and for the wealthy Flytes? This is a sumptuous film, replete with stellar performances, a heart-wrenching story, faultless direction and a stunning artistic interpretation. First, the cast is superlative, with Goode and Whishaw most excellent as the young students and Atwell very lovely as the beautiful sister. Thompson's performances is a wonder in self-control, as one sees the tight grip she holds on herself to prevent any actions that might ruin her Catholic reputation. Gambon, Scacchi and the other lesser players are quite nice, too. The themes of the film (based on Waugh's novel) are complicated but very thought-provoking and could fill many hours of conversation. The direction is absolutely faultless while the artistic amenities of the film, the costumes, sets, and camera work, are out of this world. You will not find a more beautiful work of cinema for the rest of the year. Therefore, if you have not visited a theater in ages, do make time for Brideshead Revisited. It is the sort of film that makes cinema lovers go ga-ga.