Period dramas are not my thing. It's just not the kind of film I gravitate towards to when I have choices in films. However, that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy them when I do end up watching them. Here are my choices for this week's theme.
Little Women - One of the things I liked about Gerwig's Little Women is that it stages the connection between Jo and the professor, and Laurie and Amy. I've only seen the 1994 version, and it spent a lot of time establishing the friendship between Laurie and Jo (and in turn, Laurie's devotion to Jo) that it becomes unrealistic that Laurie would shift his affections to Amy. I liked the non-linear storytelling; I thought it provided depth to the stories of the March family, instead of just sticking to Jo's story.
Marie Antoinette - When I first started watching Sofia Coppola's films, I have to admit that I found it a bit hard to get into her storytelling style. Her works are a hit-or-miss for me, but based on her filmography, I found her biopic on Marie Antoinette the most approachable film to watch on her repertoire. I think it helped that she chose to hone on a known figure in periodical history, as Marie Antoinette is also sometimes referred to in pop culture. I liked her take on the subject, though this film is her lowest rated film to date.
Far From the Madding Crowd - I can't really point out what makes this film so appealing to me. It might be the slow burn romance between Gabriel Oak and Bathsheba Everdeen. Maybe I just want to watch Matthias Shoenaerts in a swoon-worthy role. Either way, I liked the flow of the story; it had steady story progression. It wasn't too melodramatic (in my opinion, the scene in the forest is the extent of the melodrama) for me.
I like you're first two picks but I struggled with Far From the Madding Crowd. Slow burn is right lol
ReplyDeleteI'm just happy that the film isn't draggy; the novel looks really long.
DeleteWay behind on my period dramas (on purpose). Haven't seen any of these.
ReplyDeleteI rarely watch period films, but I have a lot of them on my watchlist.
DeleteLittle Women (the 1994 and 2019 versions are the ones I've seen) is awesome as is Marie Antoinette which is a film that I think gets better with re-watches as it does play into her themes of alienation. Far from the Madding Crowd I did like although I really hated Tom Sturridge's performance as Sgt. Troy as I just found it to be one-note.
ReplyDeleteTom Sturridge's scenes only work for me when he's with Juno Temple. I think I'd prefer it if they got a different actor though.
DeleteI haven't seen this version of Little Women yet but have seen about five others, but I've yet to see one that's come together completely. All have had good things in them but glaring deficiencies too. I'll get to the one eventually.
ReplyDeleteI didn't much care for this version of Marie Antoinette. Sofia Coppola films in general don't appeal to me. I did like the lavish Norma Shearer version from the 30's.
This version of Madding Crowd was good enough, I liked Carey Mulligan and Matthias Schoenaerts but Tom Sturridge was terrible. I LOVE the Julie Christie/Alan Bates version from the 60's that was directed by John Schlesinger. Terence Stamp played Sgt. Troy in that and he was perfect casting.
I chose the Roman Empire for my period films this time out.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966)-Inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus this hilariously tells the bawdy story of slave Pseudolus (a great Zero Mostel) "the lyingest, cheatingest, sloppiest slave in all of Rome" as he attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door. Based on the stage play of the same name this has terrific songs and an excellent cast (including Buster Keaton in his last role) but it’s Mostel repeating his Tony winning performance who makes it so special.
Julius Caesar (1953)-Adaptation of the Shakespearean play based on actual events. Brutus (James Mason) convinced by a group of Roman senators led by Caius Cassius (John Gielgud), that friend Julius Caesar (Louis Calhern) intends to dissolve the republic to install himself as monarch joins a conspiracy to assassinate him. Once done he defends his actions but Mark Antony (Marlon Brando) responds with a speech that plays upon the crowd's love for their fallen leader and a battle for power begins. High quality film with an impressive cast including Greer Garson, Deborah Kerr and Edmond O’Brien aside from those mentioned with Brando, forsaking his method mumbling for straight verse strong as Mark Antony.
The Last Days of Pompeii (1935)-Pegs a fictitious story onto the big blow. Blacksmith Marcus (Preston Foster) consumed with bitterness upon the death of his wife and child becomes a gladiator and Pontius Pilate's (Basil Rathbone) partner before finding Christ in the days leading up to the Vesuvius eruption. Some impressive, for its day special effects when the mountain finally ruptures.
I have to see all 3! I have seen the 1933 and 1954(??) versions but not the recent ones. I would actually like to see all of them and then rate them. Poor Marie..I always felt she was misunderstood and also so naive. I would like to see the last film as well. I believe the first time it was done was some time in the 1960s
ReplyDeleteLittle Women is the only I've seen and I really liked it. I still can't believe some people were confused by the non-linear storyline.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any aversion to them but they're not my first choice either, normally. I really liked The Favourite, does that count? Like, which period, exactly, is "period"? The 80s were a period. Are they periody enough? How will we know?
ReplyDeleteI'll be watching Little Women soon.
ReplyDeleteMarie Antoinette grew on me over time. I really like the look of the film.
And I like this adaptation of Far From the Madding Crowd too.