Brideshead Revisited (2008)

4/5 stars

You're only going to enjoy this movie if you're a fan of dry English films in which superb acting makes up for lack of explosions and general excitement. It's a brilliantly strange film that is perfectly cast. Slightly predictable in the beginning when it comes to the development of the relationships, but the acting more than makes up for it. This is Matthew Goode's (Watchmen)first headlining film, and he's definitely earned it. Emma Thompson (Nanny McPhee)is one of the best British actresses alive today.

Viewers be warned, this film is hypercritical of the Roman Catholic Church. It explores the types of families (not necessarily Church officials) that cause so-called Catholic guilt to persevere into an evermore secular world. There's an odd tenderness toward the Italians. In one scene, the Italian mistress says she is not a Catholic like the English: "We do what the heart tells us then we go to Confession." It's an oddly tender moment that gives room for a certain type of dogma.