Brideshead Revisited
Privilege. Ambition. Desire. At Brideshead everything comes at a price.
Inspired by the Best-Selling Novel.
When the charming aristocrat Sebastian invites Charles Ryder to he family's estate, Charles becomes seduced by the opulent lifestyle of the Marchmain family, and by Julia, Sebastian's sister. As their romance deepens, Charles discovers that at Brideshead, love, money and power comes at a price.
Member Reviews
A Pale Imitation of the 1980s TV version - Publius
I watched the 1980s TV version with Jeremy Irons and then, the next day, watched this 2008 movie version. I wasn't able to see all of the 2008 version since the disc was defective but I saw most of it. Both are filmed at the same great location which is interesing in that it's rare to see the same story filmed decades apart by different actors but in the same locale. But the shorter running time of the 2008 movie (2 hours versus 11 or so hours for the TV version) really hurts the movie version. But mostly it's the male actors who let the 2008 movie side down. Ben Whislaw as Sebastian is really very weak. He plays Sebastian like as a whiny, spastic old lady and there is zero chemistry between him and Charles Ryder. Matthew Goode as Ryder is handsome but blank. Jeremy Irons was great in the role in the TV series and Irons' narrator's voice was spectacular. (Almost as good a narrator as Morgan Freeman) But Goode is just bland. And the two fathers well, how can you compete with Lawrence Olivier and John Gielgud in the 1980's version? Impossible. Now, all of that being said, the women hold up their roles in the 2008 movie. Emma Thompson is perhaps better than the 1908s TV mother. Haley Atwell is just gorgeous and outdoes the 1980s Julia. But this is more a man's story and so the weak male actors really bring the 2008 movie down. Also, I didn't like the plot changes in the 2008 version. So my recommendation is this- stick with the 1980s TV version and don't bother with the 2008 movie version.Potential Not Met - Bigmoviefan
I must first state that I have not seen the original TV series, nor have I read the book. I will now seek the original TV series to fill in many of the gaps in the narrative of this film. Emma Thompson is an amazing actress, and she was able to make a very limited role interesting. I was confused by Mathew Goode's character's motivation. I understand that he was seduced by Brideshead, but is it only the house? The family is cold and troubled and generally unlovable. Is he actually in love with the son or the daughter or both? The father escaped and appeared to live a good life. Mathew appeared to cheer the father's escape from Brideshead. If that is the way he feels, then why is he drawn to it?
Help!EMMA'S SHOW... - Ricardo
although she's only a supporting character. What a performance she gives in this movie. Overall, the characters played their part, even if the main character came off as too aloof and at times appeared completely clueless about what was happening around him.
Not a bad movie, but be ready for a long haul and take breaks or you may fall asleep during the slow parts
Member Reviews
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A Pale Imitation of the 1980s TV version - Publius
I watched the 1980s TV version with Jeremy Irons and then, the next day, watched this 2008 movie version. I wasn't able to see all of the 2008 version since the disc was defective but I saw most of it. Both are filmed at the same great location which is interesing ...Potential Not Met - Bigmoviefan
I must first state that I have not seen the original TV series, nor have I read the book. I will now seek the original TV series to fill in many of the gaps in the narrative of this film. Emma Thompson is an amazing actress, and she was able to make a very ...EMMA'S SHOW... - Ricardo
although she's only a supporting character. What a performance she gives in this movie. Overall, the characters played their part, even if the main character came off as too aloof and at times appeared completely clueless about what was happening around ...