Revisiting Brideshead

While the summer movie season has seen comic book action galore Ms. H and I decided we could do with a movie where the only things blowing up were simmering emotions.

And it was half-price night at the Ritz.

Brideshead Revisited provided more than enough high fashion, meaningful glances and marble statuary. Spoilers after the jump…

Having never seen the iconic TV miniseries or (don’t think less of me) read the entire book, I went in with no particular expectations. The cast was excellent. Although Emma Thompson’s recognizable face in a sea of BBC actors was a little distracting. I also couldn’t really buy her as the cold-hearted matriarch ruled in all relationships by her Catholicism. I wanted to shiver when she looked at you.

My only other gripe, and maybe it was just to subtle for me, was that I failed to pick up on Charles’ lust for Brideshead itself until one of the characters outed him. While the Sebastian/Charles/Julia triangle was obvious, the fourth and ultimate lover was a bit too coy.

But there is little that can’t be redeemed for me in a period drama by sets and costumes. I want every single piece that Julia wore. From the blue silk shift dress to the gold lame evening gown. Thick straight hair to cut in a bob would be nice too. And I dare say I wouldn’t mind Charles to go with all of it.