Bathesheba Everdeen (Carey Mulligan) has just inherited her Uncle’s farm. She’s also learned that power can be seductive. But the heart wants what the heart wants so why accept marriage proposals from the simple farmer, Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenearts) or the proper gentleman, Mr. Boldwood (Michael Sheen) when she can go for the bad-boy Sergeant (Tom Sturridge) who gives her some ‘Dorian Grey’ shades of punishment.
The film (Based on the Thomas Hardy novel) follows a twisted love triangle (plus one) in Dorset, England, circa 1870. We watch Bathesheba live and learn her way through life’s ‘Sense & Sensibilities” – albeit the hard way as we women often choose – and come out the other side to a happy ending. In the meantime, there is an education of sheep herding, hay picking and very good performances by all in this fickle love story full of surprises. The biggest surprise however, is no a surprise at all…Mulligan can out-act Keira Knightley whom she once co-starred with in Pride & Prejudice. Mulligan’s face alone holds emotional expression that the lovely Keira Knightley can’t ever quite capture. Especially when Mulligan’s character goes through the various and hilarious marriage proposals. ♕ ♚ ♛ 1/2