I should start by noting that I've never read the book on which "A Handful of Dust" is based. That said, Charles Sturridge's Academy Award-nominated adaptation gives one a feeling of the absolute insensibility of British high society in the 1930s. It was a world in which one could have anything except genuine happiness. The events at the end of the movie are merely the culmination of the preceding grim circumstances.
In addition to Sturridge's direction and the impressive editing, the cast put on fine performances, showing the characters continuing the facade even as things begin to sour. Cast members James Wilby, Kristin Scott Thomas and Stephen Fry later co-starred in Robert Altman's "Gosford Park", a biting satire on the British class system. In addition to them, the cast includes Rupert Graves, Judi Dench, Anjelica Huston, Alec Guinness and Pip Torrens (who later appeared on "The Crown" as the perpetually dour Tommy Lascelles).
Not the ultimate masterpiece, but worth seeing.
In addition to Sturridge's direction and the impressive editing, the cast put on fine performances, showing the characters continuing the facade even as things begin to sour. Cast members James Wilby, Kristin Scott Thomas and Stephen Fry later co-starred in Robert Altman's "Gosford Park", a biting satire on the British class system. In addition to them, the cast includes Rupert Graves, Judi Dench, Anjelica Huston, Alec Guinness and Pip Torrens (who later appeared on "The Crown" as the perpetually dour Tommy Lascelles).
Not the ultimate masterpiece, but worth seeing.