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Critics Consensus: Far from the Madding Crowd invites tough comparisons to Thomas Hardy's classic novel -- and its previous adaptation -- but stands on its own thanks to strong direction and a talented cast.
Critic Consensus: Far from the Madding Crowd invites tough comparisons to Thomas Hardy's classic novel -- and its previous adaptation -- but stands on its own thanks to strong direction and a talented cast.
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All Critics (180) | Top Critics (44) | Fresh (153) | Rotten (27)
The movie places the swoonier love story aspects of Far From the Madding Crowd in the forefront, but it also, more interestingly, surfaces its coming-of-age qualities.
Moviegoers often say, "Forget about the book, even if it's a 'classic.' How does the film work on its own terms?" But that's the point: On its own terms, it's bewildering.
A good, solid version of this novel, guided by Mulligan, is still an achievement.
Vinterberg's classical, pastoral aesthetic recalls the heyday of the Merchant Ivory films, without the corny sentimentality of their lesser imitators.
It's beautifully old and atmospheric without feeling dated.
Carey Mulligan is an inspired choice to play Bathsheba... She's cool and confident; we come to respect her strength and appreciate that she doesn't need a man to be complete.
The story gets neutered into an Austenesque romantic drama that stereotypes and fails to get beneath the pretty surface of its period costumes and landscapes.
Vinterberg's confident direction and understanding of the radical potential of Hardy's original material combines with the film's remarkable performances to render this well above the usual 'costume drama' book-to-screen adaptation.
Happily ever-after and true love is not always very straight forward and "Far from the Madding Crowd" most certainly conveys this.
For those of you with Poldark withdrawal, who simply want to slip into a coma of heaving bosoms and pulsing ponies and farm work, this is perfect material.
It captures an element that was especially dear to Hardy, the details of farm life.
[Carey] Mulligan was born to play Bathsheba.
Vinterberg tones down the melodrama of Hardy's pastoral novel to make a more sober adaptation but misses the intensity of the protagonist's misery - which is not only a fault of his off-putting direction but also because Carey Mulligan is clearly miscast in the role.
Super Reviewer
Bathsheba Everdene attempts to run an estate without the social benefits of marriage in this Thomas Hardy adaptation. Director Thomas Vinterberg may have been well aware that late nineteenth century feminism may seem passe to a modern audience, so he spends the majority of this adaptation focusing solely on character development, particularly that of Bathsheba and Gabriel. As a result, the novel's criticisms of late Victorian society take a back seat to the rather pedestrian romance, which unfolds predictably. Carey Mulligan is lovely and strong, but there's too much modern independence in her performance; we don't doubt for a moment that she has the capability of running the estate, yet for the original Bathsheba, this may have been a matter of some suspense. Matthias Schoenaerts is dreamy, and that's about all that can be said for his performance. Overall, Far from the Madding Crowd is a competent adaptation of one of a great author's lesser novels.
Beautiful looking film is missing the lyricism of the '67 version. The loss of almost an hour's running time hurts the story. As for the performances Carey Mulligan is a more somber Bathsheba than Julie Christie was, that's not bad just different and Matthias Schoenaerts is very good as Gabriel Oak. Michael Sheen is the main sufferer, along with Juno Temple as Fanny Robin, from the editing of the story losing a great deal of character depth in Boldwood but he does what he can. Sturridge however is a disaster as Sgt. Troy, a blank slate who does things with no real rhyme nor reason. It's the actor not the role because Terence Stamp made him electric in the earlier version.
Far From the Madding Crowd is an exquisitely produced period piece. The cinematography, costumes and music are the accoutrements from which Academy Awards are bestowed. Cinematographer Charlotte Bruus Christensen beautifully evokes the rural culture of the English countryside portrayed in Thomas Hardy's novel. The chronicle is well acted. Carey Mulligan makes a fetching Bathsheba Everdene. The Oscar nominated actress (An Education) has proven herself a capable leading lady. Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen and Tom Sturridge all do well by their parts as her admirers. I couldn't help but think that Aaron Taylor-Johnson would've embodied the qualities of Sergeant Francis Troy a little better but otherwise well cast. Schoenaerts is the standout. With the right future roles, the actor could easily become a star. And yet, despite all these accolades, I was largely unmoved by Bathsheba's dilemma. I couldn't sympathize with her plight. Her decision is so evident it's ridiculous. The consensus is that Director Thomas Vinterberg's interpretation is preferable to the 1967 version directed by John Schlesinger. I'll buy that, but I suppose there's the respected text if you really need more depth. If you keep score about such things it's still Book: 1 - Movie: 0. fastfilmreviews.com
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