While stationed at the Brideshead Castle during WWII, Charles Ryder reminisces about his involvement with the owners of the estate, the interesting and awkward Flyte family. Taken through a period of over ten years, Ryder reveals his journey from his introduction to Sebastian to his ultimate removal from the grounds by both physical force and the force of love.
As the film starts out, Charles is returning from a stint in the jungle where he studied and painted landscapes and the beautiful art of nature. However, he catches a glimpse of a familiar face and followers her to her room where he confronts the suspicious female. To his utter disbelief, the girl is Julia, the woman for which he has loved since he first laid eyes on her. And that is where the story truly begins.
Taken back ten more years, we get to see Charles, played flawlessly by Matthew Goode, as he is preparing to leave for school. Carrying a very tranquil, almost serene personality, Goode is able to represent a man who is both unsure of himself and his every action. Never wanting to wrong anyone, Charles has a tendency to follow those around him, never having an opinion or a course of action.
Upon his arrival at school, Charles meets the well-off and feminine Sebastian (Ben Whishaw). Intrigued by his mannerisms and his fondness for other men, Charles befriends Sebastian, and earns his way into the young man's heart.
Though they are strong when alone, together, both Goode and Whishaw mesh perfectly, creating a dynamic duo that you really believe to be growing together as one. Their interactions are seamless, and what is truly amazing is how they work off one another, exemplifying each other's strengths and overshadowing their weaknesses.
Their relationship is so strong that you can't help but believe that they are actually falling in love, traveling their emotional journey through hell and ultimately feeling for them during their personal hardships. They were born to play opposite one another, and it is a truly remarkable site to see them together on screen.
However, it isn't just the men who make up this intertwining tale of love, loss and betrayal. In fact, the women are not only a great addition but a necessity within the confines of the story.
Taking the realm as the woman of the estate, Emma Thompson does a magnificent job at creating the religiously obsessed Lady Marchmaid. Thrown by her son's actions and sexual affections, Lady Marchmaid confides in Charles, wanting him to take on the difficult responsibility of looking after Sebastian. Her demeanor is passive and she seems to conduct a strict code around the house. However, both of her children despise her, though at the time, they are forced to obey her every command.
Captivating the audience with her portrayal, Thompson brings a woman who is self-confident, independent yet clueless to the big-screen. Using impeccable tone and a killer look, Thompson hit it out of the ballpark as she plays within herself and never seems to be a distraction from the overall story that the film is trying to tell. Yet, at the very site of her, you can't help but cringe as you begin to develop a strong hatred in the pit of your stomach, urging you to stand up and show her what is what.
Additionally, we have Hayley Atwell who plays Julia Flyte, the object of Charles affection and the sister to Sebastian. Her soft demeanor yet killer actions kept audience members on edge as she teeters with her faith and her love for Charles. She is mysterious and ambivalent in every situation, awaiting someone to tell her how to feel and act. Through all of this, Julia became a catalyst in which the story progresses and ultimately reaches its conclusion, without her, there would be no dilemma or confrontation.
As the story continued to progress and the relationship between Charles and both Sebastian and Julia are played out, you can't help but be taken aback by the amazing camera work and cinematography. Capturing the raw emotions that are expressed through the amazing acting performances, director Julian Jarrold is able to use the camera to personify each character and scene, making them seem larger than life and of the utmost importance. The sets are grand and the visuals stunning, sending you back in time to when things truly were extraordinary.
Yet, even with all these amazing qualities, I must admit that the film wasn't all good. In fact, the main point of going and seeing the film, its story, was the true downfall. Plagued by constant time jumps and an uncertain point of closure; the film tended to drag in-between high moments, becoming at times a complete bore and making you wonder if you were really seeing one film or snippets of many. Because of this, the film is halted during its progress, allowing the acting and directing talent of those involved to skyrocket and become increasingly noticeable, but preventing the actual film from reaching the potential that is expressed in its on-screen performances. As a result, it is entertaining; however, it could have, and should have been so much more.
