2/10
Acting good, but story not great.
6 March 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I was hopeful when this film started that it would be very enjoyable, the setting was my favorite, a big manor house in the country of England, and the genre being a period film, is also my favorite. But as it got on, I was not happy with where the plot was going. The actors did a fine job. Except for Kristin Scott Thomas's character, the self-centered Brenda Last, the character development was not good. James Wilby as Tony Last was very good, he made me really root for this character and I suppose that is why I hated the end so much. He deserved a better ending. Rupert Graves as John Beaver, was quite dull with no charisma, so I couldn't figure out why Brenda would fall for him. There were some great actors in the cast: Judi Dench, Angelica Houston, and Alec Guinness etc. The story did nothing to allow these great actors to really show their stuff. Angelica's role was a cameo at best. Judi Dench had a bit more lines, but really also a cameo.

Additionally, the Brazil part of the movie seemed quite out of place. I'm sorry, but the end left me feeling cheated and saying "What?!". Not my cup of tea. I was going to recommend it to a lady I know that likes period films, but after it was over, I changed my mind.
5 out of 10 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed