I Capture the Castle (2003)

I didn't think I'd it enjoy it as much as I did
I thought this would be a rather childish movie and something just to while away the time but it turned out to be quite delightful. The family is so very quirky, especially Topaz who is the heart of soul of bohemian, artistic fervor and her little ritual in the rain was funny but when she just had to do it in front of Cassandra it was really funny. Marc Blucas is beautiful but I wasn't impressed with his acting in this...perhaps it was his voice that didn't seem to fit. Romola was an ideal narrator and Henry Thomas perfect for his role. It's a chick flick though guys....if you have some tolerance for chick flicks, you'll enjoy this but otherwise don't bother. I liked the ending too, it wasn't what I was expecting and that's always nice. So, go see for yourselves....why ARE they all wearing green?

"It all feels fractured": Yes it does in I CAPTURE THE CASTLE
I first saw this film in the arthouses in 2000 and felt that something was definitely not all together about this story.I remembered it and revisited it after purchasing it on DVD this morning.I still feel the same way.As the main character,Cassandra (a wonderful Romola Garai (AMAZING GRACE and VANITY FAIR) writes in her journal,"It all feels fractured".It does.

As much as I want to like this film more, the screenplay by Heidi Thomas, whose main claim to fame is television writing,just simply seems so disconnected and lacking in a single purpose and focus.If the film is supposedly Cassandra's story,there then is much missing from the Dodie Smith book to make the story and the characters come alive on screen.

The acting from Romola Garai,Rose Byrne as her sister Rose,Bill Nighy as their writer-blocked father, and Tara Fitzgerald,especially, as Topaz, the odd stepmother, are all uniformly excellent.Henry Thomas and Marc Blucas appear quite awkward in their roles as the American brothers who have come to England as inheritors.Thomas seems particularly miscast and unsuited for this role.

Dario Marianelli,Oscar nominated for his later soundtrack PRIDE AND PREJUDICE does another admirable job at composing a lovely and lyrical score.

But, this film simply falls flat, and much is left to your imagination.

DVD extras contain an interview with Romola Garai which reveals no new insight into the film for me.The deleted scenes are miniscule and could have very easily remained.I thought the alternate ending was a better choice that was not chosen.See what I mean?

Not a recommended purchase for the price on DVD.VHS is cheaper for this film.

"It all feels fractured": Yes it does in I CAPTURE THE CASTLE
I first saw this film in the arthouses in 2000 and felt that something was definitely not all together about this story.I remembered it and revisited it after purchasing it on DVD this morning.I still feel the same way.As the main character,Cassandra (a wonderful Romola Garai (AMAZING GRACE and VANITY FAIR) writes in her journal,"It all feels fractured".It does.

As much as I want to like this film more, the screenplay by Heidi Thomas, whose main claim to fame is television writing,just simply seems so disconnected and lacking in a single purpose and focus.If the film is supposedly Cassandra's story,there then is much missing from the Dodie Smith book to make the story and the characters come alive on screen.

The acting from Romola Garai,Rose Byrne as her sister Rose,Bill Nighy as their writer-blocked father, and Tara Fitzgerald,especially, as Topaz, the odd stepmother, are all uniformly excellent.Henry Thomas and Marc Blucas appear quite awkward in their roles as the American brothers who have come to England as inheritors.Thomas seems particularly miscast and unsuited for this role.

Dario Marianelli,Oscar nominated for his later soundtrack PRIDE AND PREJUDICE does another admirable job at composing a lovely and lyrical score.

But, this film simply falls flat, and much is left to your imagination.

DVD extras contain an interview with Romola Garai which reveals no new insight into the film for me.The deleted scenes are miniscule and could have very easily remained.I thought the alternate ending was a better choice that was not chosen.See what I mean?

Not a recommended purchase for the price on DVD.VHS is cheaper for this film.