Far from the Madding Crowd

Name: Far from the Madding Crowd
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: May 1, 2015
Duration: 119 min
Rating: 71
Cast: Carey Mulligan, Juno Temple, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen, Tom Sturridge

2015

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Generally favorable reviews based on 40 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 63 Ratings

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7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 63 Ratings

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Far From The Madding Crowd

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Movie Details & Credits

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: May 1, 2015 | PG-13

Starring: Carey Mulligan, Juno Temple, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen, Tom Sturridge

Summary: Independent, beautiful and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan) attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), a sheep farmer, captivated by her fetching willfulness; Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge), a handsome and reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a prosperous and mature bachelor.Independent, beautiful and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan) attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), a sheep farmer, captivated by her fetching willfulness; Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge), a handsome and reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a prosperous and mature bachelor. Thomas Hardy's timeless story of Bathsheba's choices and passions explores the nature of relationships and love - as well as the human ability to overcome hardships through resilience and perseverance. [Fox Searchlight]… Expand

Director: Thomas Vinterberg

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 119 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Graham Fuller

May 1, 2015

Director Thomas Vinterberg’s romantic rollercoaster honors Hardy’s rustic vibe. Remarkably, too, he’s made a thoroughly modern film anyone can relate to — it’s like a “what a woman wants” discussion set in Victorian times. It’s also an instant classic. Read full review

The Playlist Kevin Jagernauth

Apr 30, 2015

Handsomely mounted, this is a period drama in which both unspoken demands and stated appetites drive the emotions that simmer below the surface from the first frame. And though this doesn’t transcend what you might expect from the genre, few movies are delivered with this much craft and care. Read full review

Allie Gemmill

May 1, 2015

Vinterberg's Far From the Madding Crowd is a wondrous feat: at turns tender, dramatic, fragile and bold, it's the definitive adaptation. Read full review

Peter Travers

May 1, 2015

Vinterberg may rush the final act, but he gets pitch-perfect performances from Schoenaerts, Sheen and Sturridge and brings out the wild side in Mulligan, who can hold a close-up like nobody's business. She's a live wire in a movie that knows how to stir up a classic for the here and now. Read full review

Betsy Sharkey

Apr 30, 2015

Between the sheer on-screen beauty and the finely wrought performances of Mulligan and Schoenaerts, Far from the Madding Crowd has its appeal. Yet like unrequited love, one can't help but lament what might have been. Read full review

Liam Lacey

Apr 30, 2015

Feels like a missed opportunity to do a country romantic melodrama in grand style. Read full review

Alonso Duralde

Apr 30, 2015

Far From the Madding Crowd will no doubt captivate future generations of tenth-graders who couldn’t be bothered to read the book, but it flattens the complex characters and grand scope of Hardy’s novel into an airless and overly truncated CliffsNotes version. Read full review

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User Reviews

foxgrove

May 7, 2015

Engrossing update of Thomas Hardy’s classic book, this pared down version by director Thomas Vinterberg is nearly three quarters of an hour shorter than Schlesinger’s flawed epic made in 1967. Comparisons to the earlier film are inevitable, but the good news is that there is room for both.Engrossing update of Thomas Hardy’s classic book, this pared down version by director Thomas Vinterberg is nearly three quarters of an hour shorter than Schlesinger’s flawed epic made in 1967. Comparisons to the earlier film are inevitable, but the good news is that there is room for both. The 1967 version spent much time evoking period and place, whereas here for much of the time Vinterberg keeps his camera in close on the people creating a more intimate and, it could be argued, less ambitious film. Gone are the longeurs of the previous version. This screenplay adaptation is lean and economical in the telling, propelling what is essentially a very good story forward with the minimum of fuss, but to maximum effect. The acting in both films is very good. Carey Mulligan aces Julie Christie’s more flirtatious and frivolous Bathsheba by playing the part in a more level headed manner. However, when her head is turned by the unsuitable young soldier her subsequent actions seem be more in keeping with Christie’s playing of the character than Mulligan’s. Of the men there is not much to choose between Peter Finch and Michael Sheen, respectively as farmer Boldwood, the desperate and obsessed middle aged neighbour and suitor. Likewise Terence Stamp and Tom Sturridge as the aforementioned soldier Troy, who finally weds Bathsheba whilst being the least suitable suitor for her. Only Mathias Schoenaerts as the shepherd Gabriel doesn’t bear comparison to the earlier incarnation of the character then played by Alan Bates. Whilst looking every inch the part Schoenaerts comes over as one dimensional, strangely lacking any of the screen charisma that he has brought in abundance to his foreign language roles.
Vinterberg directs with a sure hand and the film never panders to its audience. A lot of what is happening is subtly introduced often via a look, a gesture or other nuances. The period feel is perfect often evoking pleasant memories of Schlesinger’s film whilst retaining a strong identity of its own. The editing keeps the story fluid and concise and although the score is lovely at times it’s also inevitably disappointing. This is due to the fact that the music being used in the trailer, from the 1987 film ‘Maurice’, is a lot lusher and more sweepingly romantic than the score finally recorded. Still, In an age of unnecessary remakes it is good to report that here we have one that works beautifully. The two films can co- exist and, indeed, compliment each other.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Brent_Marchant

May 15, 2015

A largely faithful and beautifully produced adaptation of the classic Thomas Hardy novel, with great period piece production values, gorgeous cinematography and fine performances across the board. Those who ordinarily might care for such fare are likely to find a captivating and thoroughlyA largely faithful and beautifully produced adaptation of the classic Thomas Hardy novel, with great period piece production values, gorgeous cinematography and fine performances across the board. Those who ordinarily might care for such fare are likely to find a captivating and thoroughly entertaining offering in this release, thanks to the skillful direction of filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg. It's not too early to start thinking about potential awards consideration, either, particularly for Carey Mulligan's impressive portrayal of the feisty heroine. A smart viewing choice all the way around.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

May 16, 2015

Carey Mulligan plays Thomas Hardy's headstrong heroine, who inherits a farm, struggles to maintain her independence and juggle the affections of 3 men (Matthias Schoenaerts, Tom Sturridge & Michael Sheen). The characters are all captivating, thanks to engaging performances from Mulligan andCarey Mulligan plays Thomas Hardy's headstrong heroine, who inherits a farm, struggles to maintain her independence and juggle the affections of 3 men (Matthias Schoenaerts, Tom Sturridge & Michael Sheen). The characters are all captivating, thanks to engaging performances from Mulligan and her 3 suitors. This adaptation keeps the events happening with a modern pace with lovely locations and beautiful cinematography that add to the richness of the story. It's undeniably a romantic period chick flick, but one that director Thomas Vinterberg creates with muted passion and rich storytelling skills.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

GreatMartin

May 8, 2015

Is it fair to judge a film against 5 previous productions of the film? Or a TV version? Or the classic book it is based on? This review is based solely on the 2015 movie production of “Far From The Madding Crowd”.

Carey Mulligan plays Bathsheba Everdene, a young lady in 1874 who is anIs it fair to judge a film against 5 previous productions of the film? Or a TV version? Or the classic book it is based on? This review is based solely on the 2015 movie production of “Far From The Madding Crowd”.

Carey Mulligan plays Bathsheba Everdene, a young lady in 1874 who is an independent thinker, even before she becomes independently wealthy with the death of her aunt inheriting a rich farm, being pursued by three men.

The first man in her life, Matthias Schoenaerts, who proposes marriage and she turns down, is Gabriel, a virile looking acting man who owns a farm which he soon loses and goes to work for Bathsheba. In spite of her turning him down he remains loyal to her always ready to help when she needs help. Her second proposal comes from William, played by Michael Sheen, a wealthy farmer, an older man who offers her security while the third, Tom Sturridge, playing ‘bad boy’ Army man Troy , on the rebound from losing a woman he loves, Juno Temple, playing Fanny Robin, who went to the wrong church on the day of her marriage leaving the soldier high and dry.

The film reaches for an epic feeling, but falls short, with the musical score sometimes overpowering a scene and at other times the photography of the beauty of Dorset, England, make it hard to listen to the dialogue of the screenplay’s David Nicholls, based on the Thomas Hardy novel. Where the director, Thomas Vinterberg, and Nicholls, fails the fine performances by the actors is not giving them enough explanation and depth for events that take place.

One disturbing aspect is the make-up department’s failing at certain points. For example when the beauty of Bathsheba is talked about and there is a close up of her face she obviously has a ‘growth’, maybe a pimple, on the top part of her nose that comes and goes from scene to scene and is obvious enough to be talked noticed.

“Far From The Madding Crowd” has some good acting, gives a feeling of the place and time that the story takes place, certainly captures the beauty of the country side, but just stops short of getting the film-goer pulled into the story.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

John935

Sep 19, 2015

I'm still pondering this the day after, so I give it a favorable rating. Casting is good but not great. Carey M hits all the right notes, in succession, but she seldom hits chords. In other words, I find her performance a bit superficial as opposed to layered. Sturridge as Sgt Troy isI'm still pondering this the day after, so I give it a favorable rating. Casting is good but not great. Carey M hits all the right notes, in succession, but she seldom hits chords. In other words, I find her performance a bit superficial as opposed to layered. Sturridge as Sgt Troy is baffling. He's apparently supposed to be super-goodlooking but his appeal just seems odd. The other 2 suitors are excellent. The story seems a little silly (no doubt that's not what Hardy intended) but the brisk pace holds our attention and the film is captivating visually.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

lasttimeisaw

Jul 29, 2015

A double-bill of two film adaptations of Thomas Hardy’s novel, about a Victorian liberated and strong-willed girl named Bathsheba Everdene (Mulligan/Christie), who is an orphan but fortuitously inherits a farm from her late uncle, but in due course, her romantic entanglements with three veryA double-bill of two film adaptations of Thomas Hardy’s novel, about a Victorian liberated and strong-willed girl named Bathsheba Everdene (Mulligan/Christie), who is an orphan but fortuitously inherits a farm from her late uncle, but in due course, her romantic entanglements with three very different men, the honest and devoted shepherd Gabriel Oak (Schoenaerts/Bates), the wealthy, middle age bachelor William Boldwood (Sheen/Finch) and a hot-headed sergeant Frank Troy (Sturridge/Stamp), will teach her a hard lesson with a shocking third act.

keep reading my review on my blog, please google: cinema omnivore, thanks!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

hotfromcauldron

May 3, 2015

Hardy’s “Madding” begins as a smart Taming of Bathsheba but ends a baa'd Fifty Shades of Hay - as feminist turns to fool. Men - Gabriel - a sheep farmer whose flock goes a stray- William- a loner with wealth - and Frank- a soldier with a wandering sword- fall at her feet but this virgin galHardy’s “Madding” begins as a smart Taming of Bathsheba but ends a baa'd Fifty Shades of Hay - as feminist turns to fool. Men - Gabriel - a sheep farmer whose flock goes a stray- William- a loner with wealth - and Frank- a soldier with a wandering sword- fall at her feet but this virgin gal fights for equal pay, free choice and independence until her private parts cause a brain fart. Far from a frenzy - one loses all respect for our heroine by the final frame when her life’s fate is sealed with a kiss.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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