Director: Thomas Vinterberg
By Alex Watson
Danish director Thomas Vinterberg makes a good stab at adapting Thomas Hardy's, Far From The Madding Crowd. For the most part it is a heart wrenching and involving movie and in some ways even surpasses John Schlesinger's 1967 version. After his emotionally churning film, The Hunt, Vinterberg has been the ideal man to bring a new version to screen. Effortlessly he brings to light the clash between classes and the pain that the smallest actions can cause.
Bathsheba Everdeen (Carey Mulligan) is a headstrong young woman who has recently inherited her uncle's estate. Diving headfirst into the farming world, she soon finds herself tempted by three different suitors. Quiet farmer Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), rich loner William Boldwood (Michael Sheen) and dashing soldier Sergeant Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge). But although she yearns not become a man's wife, Bathsheba is seduced by passion and tradition. Both of which will eventually have a dangerous outcome of all.
The most effective piece of Vinterberg's Far From The Madding Crowd, is how he firmly portrays how Bathsheba ably dances into a man's world, but comes unstuck as a result. The three men in her life are the definition of class difference. She falls hard and fast for handsome but dangerous Troy and secretly scolds herself for it. A valentine's prank on the lonely and repressed Boldwood sets off a risky spark and she feels genuine remorse for hurting a good man. Even her first meeting with Sheppard Gabriel is one that will set off a complex relationship of love and dependence. Bathsheba renounces marriage claiming "I'd hate to be someone's property" but although independent she also feels the need for a male presence.
Inner conflicts between the characters are also excellently conveyed. Although Gabriel is the quiet yet wise soul who lovingly observes Bathsheba from a distance, he is perhaps the only one who can see through the other suitors facades. Troy while impressive on the outside is also a self-destructive and lovesick man who still pines for lost love Fanny Robbin (Juno Temple). But it is easy to see how Bathsheba is instantly illured by his sex appeal and yes the famous sword wielding scene is equally tantalizing as before. Boldwood while rich and openly speculated about is also a man secretly drowning in his own loneliness and insecurity. Courting Bathsheba seems to be his view of way of solving life's problems.
But even in the year since its first publication, Bathsheba is still a heroine who is not only likeable but also is willing learn from her transgressions. While a capable farmer and businesswoman, she is also naive to the ways of love and relationships. She also gives the movie a strength to move forward convincingly and to some movie goers, this might give Vinterberg's movie a light feeling, but not once does it weight it down.
Carey Mulligan proves to be an excellent Bathsheba and demonstrates a winning charm. Her real strength is that she gives this character an intelligence that marks out from Julie Christie's original iconic turn. As the world weary Gabriel, Matthias Schoenaerts also excels and rings in a turn that both heartfelt and firmly captures the silent longing that surrounds Hardy's novel. Tom Sturridge does give Troy a slightly more humane feel, but he still falls short of the cold hearted and sexual charged turn that Terence Stamp made so memorable! Michael Sheen feels underused as Boldwood, but shows enough to give a good impression of a man on the verge with himself.
As adaptations go, Vinterberg's version of Far From The Madding Crowd is one that has surprised everyone. It might not feel as iconic as the John Schlesinger version, but it does rise about it emotionally and delivers a stirring and engaging tale. Will also come in handy as Farming 101 guide for those wanted to relocate to Dorset any time soon!
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