Film review: Far From The Madding Crowd

Lose yourself in the fantastic new period drama Far From The Madding Crowd, starring Psychologies' June issue cover star Carey Mulligan

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Film review: Far From The Madding Crowd

There is a particular hole that only a period drama can fill. When we want to feel safe, reassured and faintly nostalgic, we turn to crinoline and crumpets. But expecting reassurance from a Thomas Hardy classic is like turning to Wuthering Heights for comforting drawing-room fires instead of bleak moors. 

The original 1967 film of Hardyโ€™s classic tale of three suitors, starring Julie Christie, was re-released last month. This latest version, directed by Thomas Vinterberg and released in UK and Irish cinemas today, delights with breathtaking Dorset landscapes and corseted, sprigged dresses, and youโ€™ll even spot a breakfast scene complete with crumpets and good china.

But beware โ€“ this is Hardy, and breakfast is liable to be spoiled by a dissolute husband. It goes much deeper than Downton. Expect knockout performances from Carey Mulligan and her paramours, who range from devoted to desperate.

We loved the edge-of-seat drama, groaned at (and identified with) the blindness of an almost-modern heroine and even got a final bit of proper period drama relief when, her defences down, the girl finally gets the right (gorgeous) guy.