Review // Far From the Madding Crowd

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Thomas Vinterberg’s adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s literary classic, Far From the Madding Crowd is a refreshing alternative to this weekend’s mega blockbuster Avengers: Age of Ultron. The well made period piece tells the story of Bathsheba Everdene, a headstrong young woman who inherits a substantial estate from her uncle. She decides to run the farm on her own, an unheard of feat for a woman at the time the novel was published, 1874.

Embodying the role of Ms. Everdene is Carey Mulligan. A wonderful performance from the accomplished actress that proves she is more than capable of carrying a film. Mulligan’s depiction of one of the first modern heroines is wonderfully three dimensional – she’s strong while remaining feminine, she’s funny, humble and brave. The really important thing is neither Mulligan nor Vinterberg shy away from Bathesheba’s many flaws. As remarkable and enchanting as the character is she’s also stubborn, hypocritical, and hurtful. Much like any period piece this one is a love story at its core.

While Ms. Everdene never quite meets her match, she does have three very different suitors vying for her affection. First is Matthias Schoenaerts‘ Gabriel Oak. The humble shepherd’s marriage proposal is turned down by our heroine early in the film but he remains by her side throughout, helping achieve her dreams as her left-hand man. Given their social order it would be out of place for Ms. Everdene to wed her hired shepherd but a more reasonable suitor presents himself in the form of her wealthy neighbour, William Boldwood (Micheal Sheen). The melancholy older bachelor is shrouded in rumours of a jaded lover, and approaches Bathsheba with the full puppy dog treatment. The final contestant for her affection is Tom Sturridge’s Sergeant Francis Troy. Each suitor offers Bathesheba something different and she basks in their affection for maybe a little too long. While Sturridge proves he excels as a pathetic love torn soldier and Sheen is stalwart as the quiet neighbor, the true standout in the bunch is Schoenaerts, the Belgian actor best known for 2012’s Rust and Bone. With a breakthrough English-language performance from the actor, Schoenaerts carries his weight opposite established stars Mulligan and Sheen.

When it comes to period pieces I usually find that too much of the drama which surrounds our “great heroines” lies in who she’s married to over what she accomplishes for herself. While the plot of the film is still firmly rooted in its source material, I really liked that the whole film isn’t devoted to Ms. Everdene choosing a husband. We actually watch her learn and grow and make decisions regarding her business as well as her social life. The film is surprisingly short, running at 119mins, and while this Cole’s Notes version of the text might anger Hardy enthusiasts, I found it refreshing. The beautiful cinematography from Charlotte Bruus Christensen adds to the overall romanticism of the film.

If period pieces are your thing, then I’m assuming you’ve already bought your ticket. More importantly, if they aren’t, then you might want to start your education in the classics with Far From the Madding Crowd, which is an enjoyable, easily digested, modern adaptation.

Reviewed by Vithiya Murugadas.