A very well executed portrayal of the elitist culture of British high society in the aftermath of WWI on technical and artistic levels. However, through the austere use of language, sets and locations, I can't help but hold a taste more bitter than what the poetry illustrated with archival film clips so helplessly try to foil against the pompous stereotypes that films about the élite unconsciously celebrate. I think that there is a disservice done to the remembrance of the "Great War" (this adage itself being rife with contradiction) when viewed through the lives of the idle rich who had nought to do but pursue their "hobbies".
Asking the audience to relate to high society Britain in the context of what war means to them who profited most by it trivializes the true cost of war for the vast majority. This trivializing is only reflected in the exposition of the relationships of characters and how little they value one another, using each other for selfish gain.
This is a purposely sad film made sadder by the truth that runs underneath, never given the light it deserves for the sake of retaining the characters' perilous reputations and pretentious stations in life.
Asking the audience to relate to high society Britain in the context of what war means to them who profited most by it trivializes the true cost of war for the vast majority. This trivializing is only reflected in the exposition of the relationships of characters and how little they value one another, using each other for selfish gain.
This is a purposely sad film made sadder by the truth that runs underneath, never given the light it deserves for the sake of retaining the characters' perilous reputations and pretentious stations in life.