I Capture the Castle (2003)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Written by Heidi Thomas, based upon the novel by Dodie Smith
Directed by Tim Fywell
Starring Romola Garai, Bill Nighy, Rose Byrne, Tara Fitzgerald, Henry Thomas, and Marc Blucas

Features:

• Deleted scene/alternate ending
• Running audio commentary by director Fywell, writer Thomas and producer David Parfitt
• Interview with actress Garai

Released by: Columbia/Tri-Star
Region: 1
Rating: R
Anamorphic: Yes.

My Advice: Rent it--lovers of costume dramas should buy it

Based upon the novel by Dodie Smith (also author of 101 Dalmations), I Capture the Castle is set in England in the 1930s. Cassandra is seventeen years old, going on thirty, and lives with her eccentric family in a decaying, run-down castle, with two years of back rent due, and lots of busted promises. Ten years ago, her father published a highly-acclaimed and respected novel, but since then, he hasn't written a word. He has also lost his wife and gotten a new one: a kind, but odd woman whose idea of a good time is embracing the freedom of semi-public nudity. Cassandra's beautiful sister cares only about marrying a rich man to reverse the family fortunes; she can do nothing now but hate their reduced circumstances. Stephen, the boy who lives nearby, is classically handsome, but just not what Cassandra wants. Then, the elderly landlord dies, and his American heirs come to claim the property and shake up the lives of the Mortmains forever.

The acting is very good indeed. Romola Garais is splendid as the young protagonist, going from dramatic and romantic to comic and fresh in a moment. Marc Blucas, an actor you may have seen last in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is surprisingly good as the stereotypically rough and ready American, Neil. Rose Byrne plays the razor's edge of the character Rose's selfishness perfectly, as rotten on the inside as she is spoiled on the outside. Exploring issues such as marrying for love versus marrying for money, this script demands a great deal from its actors, but this cast is up to it.

The visuals are stunning, and while the castle becomes a kind of character in the film, as well it should, but the cinematographer (Richard Greatrex) manages to keep it from becoming overpowering. The digital transfer on the disc makes full advantage of the fantastic costuming, bright skies, and moody moors. The sound is also good; the speech, sound effects, and music are all nicely balanced.

The extras are fairly extensive. The full-length film commentary features the scriptwriter, Heidi Thomas, the producer, David Parfitt, and the director, Tim Fywell. It is interesting, amusing, and explains many aspects of filmmaking that will interest fans of the movie, as well as would-be filmmakers. There is a great deal of discussion about the difficulties of bringing a book to the screen. We also get an interview with lead actress Garai that lasts a bit less than ten minutes. She primarily discusses the making of the movie and the coming-of-age themes.

The film, however, is not without its problems. The schoolgirl angst might wear on some viewers, as will the conceit of diary-based narration. There are also a few scenes in which none of the characters are particularly likable, which makes this film somewhat less entertaining, when it's not philosophical or educational enough to have another raison d'etre. Some of the romantic complications (and resolutions) are also suspiciously convenient, but on the whole, it still manages to be entertaining and lushly beautiful to look at. See the stereotypes and eccentricities as the stylized and almost surreal, not realistic, statement they were meant to be, and you'll enjoy the film more.

Fans of solid characterization, eccentric plots, and touching, but never maudlin, storytelling will appreciate the depth of I Capture the Castle. Coming of age novels and films can easily give way to moralizing or shallow weepiness, but luckily, this film does neither. It also neatly avoids the usual traps of most romantic comedies, especially since this film actually succeeds in being both comic and romantic, but never sappy or silly. If you're weary of trite, formulaic films, then give this one a shot.