Shakamaker
07-15-2003, 10:55 PM
I Capture The Castle - brilliantly shot, period piece set in 1930's country England, following the struggles of an English family living in a decrepit castle, and how their lives are changed after a meeting with two young American men.
Another rite-of-passage film exploring discoveries of love and desire, and dealing with the loss of naivity. The film has themes on building character by staying true to yourself, and to those you love, amidst a sea of change and turmoil. The short-sightedness of instant gratification, and it's sometimes reversible, sometime irreversible effects, is poignantly portrayed.
Some typically understated British humour and self-depreciation - their then pre-occupation with social classes was amazing - add to the film's charm. Romola Garai is excellent in the lead as the pure but under-appreciated Cassandra, standing in the shadow of her sister, Rose (Rose Byrne). Parts of Cassandra's character are similar to Noah Taylor's in the somewhat darker, but equally honest Australian coming-of-age film, The Year My Voice Broke; the fantastic use of character narration, especially. Bill Nighy steals scenes as Cassandra's troubled, eccentric father. The rest of the performances aren't too far behind.
It's an impressive feature film directorial debut for Tim Fywell, who recently directed the BBC TV mini-series, Cambridge Spies.
Richard Greatrex (Shakespeare In Love) did a fantastic job capturing both the bleakness and beauty of the English countryside, and the Art Department provided some excellent set design.
I can't help but love these types of films when they're done so well.
Another rite-of-passage film exploring discoveries of love and desire, and dealing with the loss of naivity. The film has themes on building character by staying true to yourself, and to those you love, amidst a sea of change and turmoil. The short-sightedness of instant gratification, and it's sometimes reversible, sometime irreversible effects, is poignantly portrayed.
Some typically understated British humour and self-depreciation - their then pre-occupation with social classes was amazing - add to the film's charm. Romola Garai is excellent in the lead as the pure but under-appreciated Cassandra, standing in the shadow of her sister, Rose (Rose Byrne). Parts of Cassandra's character are similar to Noah Taylor's in the somewhat darker, but equally honest Australian coming-of-age film, The Year My Voice Broke; the fantastic use of character narration, especially. Bill Nighy steals scenes as Cassandra's troubled, eccentric father. The rest of the performances aren't too far behind.
It's an impressive feature film directorial debut for Tim Fywell, who recently directed the BBC TV mini-series, Cambridge Spies.
Richard Greatrex (Shakespeare In Love) did a fantastic job capturing both the bleakness and beauty of the English countryside, and the Art Department provided some excellent set design.
I can't help but love these types of films when they're done so well.