Director Thomas Vinterberg's adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic 1874 novel is eminently pleasant to look at, but overall a tad boring.
Carey Mulligan stars as Bathsheba, a headstrong, outdoorsy type who has come to her aunt's farm to lend a helping hand. There she meets Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), the handsome shepherd from the neighbouring farm and a classic silent, brooding type. Though they barely know one another, he speedily, and somewhat awkwardly, proposes to the young Bathsheba, which she laughs off instantly, saying she needs a man who can "tame" her.
Poor Gabriel's circumstances take a turn for the worse after his failed proposal, when his foolhardy sheepdog herds his entire herd off a cliff. Penniless and broken-hearted, he leaves his farm to find work elsewhere. In a coincidental turn, he ends up working for Bathsheba, who has just inherited her uncle's once-great farm, which has fallen on hard times.
She quickly sets about righting the wrongs at the farm with trusty Gabriel at her side, telling her new employees that she will "astonish" them all, which turns out not to be an empty promise. She meets her wealthy neighbouring landowner William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a stern-looking and lonely man, who, she has been assured, is the most eligible bachelor in the village. After initially being cold towards her, he soon becomes enamoured with her hardy and hard-working ways. Cue another less-than-romantic proposal, but this time Bathsheba realises she has to mull it over, given what a catch Boldwood is.
Enter Francis Troy (Tom Sturridge), the utterly charming sergeant who finally captures her heart with his dashing good looks, amorous advances and a private display of swordsmanship. And no, that's not a metaphor.
However, the road to true love is never smooth, and Bathsheba must quickly face up to the realisation that she may have made the wrong decision.
The primary flaw of the film is that it sometimes feels rather rushed, and the feelings and impulses of the characters aren't always adequately fleshed out.
However, the drama ticks along nicely in this enjoyable but unremarkable adaptation, which is bolstered by beautiful cinematography and the excellent performances from Carey Mulligan as the impetuous heroine, Matthias Schoenaerts as the conscience of the film and a sensitive, tortured Micheal Sheen.
Sarah McIntyre
