Of course I should never have gone to see this film as I have absolutely no interest in anything to do with aristocracy. However, it is a box office phenomenon in the UK (it’s also done very well in America) and I am a fan of Firth and Rush so…
Inevitably the film’s attraction is that it humanises toffs. However, despite the fact they are human, the institution of aristocracy isn’t and so the film acts as propaganda. I hate the ‘Oo look they are just like us’ representation because they aren’t like us, they are the elite by accident of birth. No one should have that status.
As a relatively low budget film, high for UK, it is impressive in its set design, not to mention the stellar cast; Guy Pearce is brilliant as the fascist Edward (like Hawkes – see previous post – he does seem to under-used). Whilst Bonham-Carter sails through as ‘Bertie’s’ (Bertie!) wife, no doubt born to the role through her blood, Firth (as Bertie) and Rush are excellent. However, if Firth gets his Oscar I wonder whether it’s more in acknowledgment of his brilliance in A Single Man, when sentiment sent the Academy to Jeff Bridges?
Don’t go and see this film
Filed under: British Cinema | Tagged: melodrama | Leave a comment »