'Brideshead Revisited' review

Unfortunately this isn’t a horror movie, but it’s still not so bad

By Matt Pais

Critic's Rating:

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Ben Whishaw and Matthew Goode in "Brideshead Revisited" (Credit: Nicola Dove/Miramax)

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In pre-WWII England, blue-collar Oxford student Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode, “The Lookout”) is whisked into a life of luxury by his new pal Sebastian (Ben Whishaw, “I’m Not There”) when they take a holiday at his family’s Brideshead Castle, a house bigger than some lakes. There he observes the firmly religious, overbearing hand of Sebastian’s mom (Emma Thompson) and develops a crush on his pal’s sister, Julia (Hayley Atwell, "Cassandra's Dream"), which complicates things since Sebastian has always seemed interested in more than friendship.

Big question: Can director Julian Jarrold help this classy period piece, based on Evelyn Waugh’s novel, achieve more authenticity than Jarrold brought to “Becoming Jane”?

Catch it: Though its tensions never rise to a boil, “Brideshead” achieves a certain degree of dignity by resisting off-the-wall melodrama. While Goode’s been better—Charles’ desires and ambitions are a bit murky—the film politely revolves around him as he stands in awe of wealth and considers his own romantic and financial agenda.

Skip it: If you cracked up at all the jokes about feces in “The Love Guru.” As Lady Marchmain (Thompson) reminds us, “Vulgar is not the same as funny.” Surely one day Thompson will sit down with Mike Myers and discuss.

Bottom line: The presence of God and faith plays a large role in this underwhelming but ultimately compelling story of personal beliefs, which prove to be the only thing more powerful than money. Unlike other literary flicks that assume their own sophistication, “Brideshead” actually lives up to its pedigree, rendered lively with gorgeous scenery and a tart, droll script.

Bonus: Anyone embarrassed over an extremely minor injury (say, pulling a muscle trying to open a jar of jelly) can relate to Sebastian fretting over being “gravely injured” in a croquet match. Yikes, and that’s not even as dangerous as whiffle ball!

What do you think of 'Brideshead'? Email me: mpais@tribune.com