When films have one actor that completely blows everyone else out of the water, and it just so happens that the actor is playing a supporting character, producers have a huge problem.
Emma Thompson effortlessly steals the show in "Brideshead Revisited." Audiences are easily reminded that English period pieces are her natural environment, and ever since "Howard's End," she has proven that can dominate every scene she's in.
Unfortunately, this caused the plot and the other characters to become utterly lackluster.
This phenomenon could be because of one of two things: One, the other actors aren't that good at doing their jobs, (although Michael Gambon did notably to do OK). Two, Emma Thompson is too good of an actress to be used so sparingly in such a wonderful film.
Thompson plays Lady Marchmain, a radical Catholic who reveals so much about her character just through her mere glances. Through her body language we learn more about the plot than the film itself should freely give.
This proves to be frustrating, especially when Thompson is introduced in the second half of the movie and leaves us in the third half of the film.
The impression she makes is mammoth in comparison to everything and everyone else the movie is also supposed to be about.
The story focuses on Charles Ryder, played by Matthew Goode, who comes from middle to lower class family. He becomes entangled in an aristocratic and stringent Catholic family while attending Brideshead manor as a guest. A love triangle soon forms between Ryder and two siblings at the Brideshead manor.
Sexuality is ambiguous, but the movie clearly tries hard to show that homosexuals suffer, or suffered, from overtly religious parents.
The book of the same name, by Evelyn Waugh, is mainly about Catholic resentment felt by the English who suffered for their perception of the religion's close-mindedness.
The movie meanders through the thematic elements of sexuality, youth and religion, which become the nucleus of the story.
The whole film fails miserably and tries to impress viewers with themes it cannot seem to fully develop. The aesthetics of the film are gorgeous, but Thompson just engulfed her role so much that you forget everything else, except for the inadequacies of the plot.
If there ever was a movie in need of salvation, Thompson certainly plays the savior in this one.
Movie: Brideshead Revisited Director: Julian Jarrold Distributed by: Miramax Films Grade: C+
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