Carrington (1995)

The Worst Film Ever

Just perfect...

Excellent adaptation.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Carrington loved the homosexual not for his physical appearance but for his soul, his outlook on life, his comfort. He was like her resting place where all her stress disappeared. It was like forbidden love or taboo for them if they had sex. She did not want to disturb his lifestyle. She maintained her sexuality alive with other men who meant nothing to her but she let out her protective nature for her true love the homosexual.

With talented actors forming the cast, having an interest in fact-based dramas and with a remarkable story of a very interesting platonic romance between Dora Carrington and Lytton Strachey, 'Carrington' had a lot going for it. Luckily, 'Carrington' didn't waste its potential and the result is an outstanding, beautiful and near-flawless film. Let down only on a few character motivations not quite being as clear as they could have been. Clocking in at just under two hours and with a fairly deliberate pace, 'Carrington' was never dull to me regardless. Due to being captivated by the acting performances, the beautiful and intense way the central relationship was handled and the emotional impact. Jonathan Pryce has never been better and gives the performance of a lifetime. Emma Thompson's performance is one of her best and most captivating. The two have a lovely chemistry, part playful, part ambiguous, part intense and part poignant. The rest of the cast, which includes Penelope Wilton and Samuel West, are similarly splendid, but it's the two leads that particularly shine.'Carrington' is a very handsome-looking film, sumptuously and evocatively designed and costumed and clearly filmed with a lot of love and care. The music is understated but has enough presence to not make it too low-key. Script is witty and thought-provoking, the story always compels thanks to the central relationship anchoring the drama being so beautifully written and played. Also haven't seen first-time direction this intelligent or sympathetic in quite some time either. Overall, outstanding. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Biopic of Edwardian painter Carrington and her platonic relationship with author Lytton Strachey. Set mostly in pastoral England, during the Great War and afterward. Strachey and Carrington entice and embrace various male companions, seemingly to vent their own frustrated passions. Unlike almost every "creative artist" film I have ever watched, the angst and toil not shown at all. Emma Thompson, as Dora Carrington, is quite good in this. Also, during the first half of the film, she manages the trick of resembling a twenty year old. Sense And Sensibility was released the same year; while she portrayed another twenty year old, there she looked like a matronly forty year old. Jonathan Pryce as Strachey is brilliant.

A movie that asks the question, how did it ever get made? Absolutely not a chance that it was made for profit. Once I stopped asking the question, I could enjoy the superior cinematic quality of all the elements that elevate a film to a work of art. I suppose it must have been exhibited in a theater, somewhere, though getting it booked must have been quite an accomplishment for its backers. I caught it on cable which allowed me to sip on a brandy while the film took its time unfolding in a style that I would describe as a splendidly animated coffee table book.I am moved to comment on Carrington to express my gratitude to its makers.