My favourite 2015 period dramas: Far From The Madding Crowd

Hello everyone!

2015 was a great year for period drama, and Far From The Madding Crowd has become an all time favourite of mine... 

Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan) is a strong-willed, passionate, but rather naïve young woman who inherits a farm estate and attracts the attention of three men: sheep farmer Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), military officer Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge) and the rich William Boldwood (Michael Sheen). Far From the Madding Crowd takes us on the personal learning experience of this modern-like heroine who thinks herself too independent to marry. The darker edge to the story - Thomas Hardy’s novel has often been described as a ‘rural tragedy’ - ensures the film transcends more traditional period dramas like Pride and Prejudice.

Director Thomas Vinterberg established himself as an innovative storyteller with Jagten (2012), a drama about a teacher wrongly accused of child abuse, and proves his skills afresh. cinematographer Charlotte Bruus Christensen achieves in this picture, both in interior and landscape scenery, luscious and alluring imagery. Powerful visual motives throughout the film, like Bathsheba appearing out of the dark, make Christensen’s work even more impressive. The well-known swordplay scene is even more remarkably shot than in John Schlesinger’s adaptation of 1967 as it accomplishes to mesmerize the viewer and in this way conveys perfectly how Batsheba is enticed by the dashing Troy. Noteworthy is the imposing screen presence of Troy’s red military jacket which I think serves perfectly as a symbol for his seductive qualities and as a blatant warning for his dangerous character. Costume designer Janet Patterson deserves every praise for her superb costume design proving why she deserved the Oscar nomination for her work on Bright Star (2009). Be sure to check out this interesting blogpost on the costume design.

Adding to this Craig Armstrong’s wonderful score and you get an overall vivid viewing experience.

Carey Mulligan manages to bring fragility to the independent Bathsheba  with her pixie-like and energetic appearance. While the viewer might question some of Bathsheba’s decisions, Mulligan makes sure she remains sympathetic as we take part in her personal growing experience. To me, Michael Sheen is the only actor to rival her performance as the neighbouring tenant who develops a consuming crush on Batsheba. He brings a complexity to a character that could have been very one-dimensional. Sometimes both frightening and endearing, Sheen even managed to make me shift on my chair with uneasiness. Schoenaerts is charming as Gabriel  (and really quite gorgeous in his costumes) but is quite lacking compared to Mulligan and Sheen. Sturridge makes for a solid acting job, but I think he lacks the screen time to truly make his performance last.

I believe Far From the Madding Crowd makes for the most compelling and refined period drama of the past year. 

Source: Variety A Fashion History

In Development: Adaptation of The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

About a year ago, I read The Miniaturist. The novel firstly attracted me because of its gorgeous cover, but then there were also the raving reviews and the several prizes (e.g. 2014 Waterstones "Book of the Year" winner) the book won.

On my copy this summary can be found:

On an autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives at a grand house in Amsterdam to begin her new life as the wife of wealthy merchant Johannes Brandt. Though curiously distant, he presents her with an extraordinary wedding fit: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. It is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist, whose tiny creations ring eerily true. As Nella uncovers the secrets of her new household she realizes the escalating dangers they face. The miniaturist seems to hold their fate in her hands - but does she plan to save or destroy them? 

I loved the visual take and the magical realism of the book and thought it would be interesting to see this translated to the screen.  At the same time I found out the book was actually going to be adapted for tv by Company Pictures, known for the tv-production of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall.
It will be exciting to see seventeenth century Amsterdam come to life, though I'm sure similarities with The Girl With The Pearl Earring and Tulip Fever, stories both taking place in the historical prime time of The Netherlands, will put the series to scrutinous comparisons.

Writer Jessie Burton will be the consultant for the adaptation: "Company TV's passionate, creative vision for The Miniaturist impressed me from the beginning, and I am thrilled they have secured the rights." 

Burton herself is an actress and will appear in the adaptation: “This is how to get a job as an actress, spend four years writing a book. Hopefully I can play a small part, a sugar seller or crone in the market place.”

While no production images have been released or even a release date announced, here's a book trailer that gives a glimpse of what the television production might look: 

Source: Picador; Independent.co.uk