Far From the Madding Crowd - B

Carey Mulligan is "Far from the Madding Crowd"

Rated PG-13, 119 minutes
Wes's Grade: B

"Far from the Madding Crowd" an enriching tale of multiple-choice romance

The well-acted, beguiling new version of the Thomas Hardy classic romance novel "Far from the Madding Crowd" (not maddening as some to interpret it to be) proves that love can be difficult even for strong, intelligent and very capable women; its themes are hardly new, but it's a worthy period piece/costume drama entry that may remind some of a Merchant-Ivory production or Jane Austen. The movie tells the story of independent, beautiful and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan), who attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), a quiet, hardworking sheep farmer, Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge), a handsome and reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a prosperous and mature yet somewhat desperate bachelor, not to mention the hardships caused by having several suitors. Directed by "The Hunt's" Thomas Vinterburg and written by David Nicholls, this handsome and enriching version of Hardy's "Far from the Madding Crowd," while hardly surprising, is more entertaining than you might think, thanks to a superb turn by Oscar-nominee Mulligan treading Keira Knightley's corset territory, and though it's much too early to be saying something like this, I could easily see her garnering some accolades for the role, as she brings strength and humanity to a role also played by Oscar-winner Julie Christie in the 1967 version (and though Christie did a great job in the role, I see the character with dark hair rather than a blonde, making a huge difference). Bathsheba is smart enough run a large farm, but she still falters when it comes love, though that has to do with all the conflicting choices she has to make along the way. All the men do a great job here too, though the most memorable is French actor Schoenarts ("Rust and Bone"), whose understated turn here gives value to the unspoken love between Bathsheba and Gabriel. In addition to "Madding's" moving performances, the movie's sleek production values give it a good feel, including the score from acclaimed composer Craig Armstrong ("Moulin Rouge") and the lovely cinematography from Charlotte Bruus Christensen. The last, soapy act seems much more pensive and rushed than the rest of the movie, and while its ending seems pat, this is in fact faithful to Hardy's novel in that respect. The satisfying, affecting "Far from the Madding Crowd" is a familiar movie with familiar themes of multiple choices, and you're always wise to go with your first choice; had Bathsheba Everdene done that the movie would've been over in about 10 minutes.