Mrs. Dalloway (1997)

Best "adaptation" seen in a while
Eileen Atkins screenplay based on the classic modernist novel by Virginia Woolf is about as close as a screenwritter can get to duplicate the tone and dialouge, including following the novel's plot from the start to its interesting conclusion.

Vanessa Redgrave was perfect casting for the older Clarissa Dalloway and the beautiful Natascha McElhone as the young Clarissa, too, a good casting choice.

Virginia Woolf's novel was very controversial at the time of it publication due to its style and structure, writng the novel in a non-linear fashion, breaking away from Realism, and using the thoughts of its character's rather than actual dialouge to move the story along. This book is considered by many scholars to be one of the top ten modernist novels of the 20th century along side James Joyce's "Ulysses and Thomas Mann's The Magic Mountain.

All the performances in this film I believe were flawless. In particular Rupert Graves as Septimas Warren Smith, the shell shocked, damaged solider caused by his horrific experiences in WW1. Graves' apparent seemless forward and backward states of momentary lucidity and madness was quite impressive.

The novel and film approach many themes: love, art, the failings of the medical profession and our ignorance of psychology, the pomposity of the English Middle Class, sexuality etc. Not only did Woolf change the structure of the novel but also included then considered anathema subjects simply not talked about and never written...bad taste.

Excellent screenplay, great performances...I could go on and on...so even if you have not read Woolf's novel, see this film.

Excellent!
Excellent film - beautiful scenery and wonderful costumes. Easily takes you into the time period (early 20th century London). Touching and profound. Vanessa Redgrave is radiant with a superb supporting cast. A real sense of Virginia Woolf comes through. Extremely fine film on many levels.

A Classic
What a movie! What a classic! Classic as they come.All should have taken home an Oscar.