If left to my own devices, I probably would not have seen Far from the Madding Crowd because it is based on a novel by Thomas Hardy, and Hardy is a particular brand of over the top melodrama and excessive character torturer. He reminds me of Lars von Trier. I haven’t read this book and probably won’t. Also in my early movie going days, I would see almost any period drama set in Britain, and I feela bit full. I wasn’t even planning on seeing it when it will be released on DVD or streaming.
I chose not to object to seeing Far from the Madding Crowd and ignore my initial misgivings because of the strength of the cast and my early love of British period dramas. It has been a long time since Carey Mulligan played the protagonist. I generally like her, but lately her roles only require her to be beautiful and a love interest. In Far from the Madding Crowd, she is still both, but she also fervently struggles to remain independent, which is a tricky thing for a nineteenth century woman. Three suitors pursue her. The supporting cast does an admirable job sharing the spotlight. It is a terrific showcase for actors lesser known to American audiences, particularly Matthias Schoenaerts and Michael Sheen.
Far from the Madding Crowd is a lush visual masterpiece, which elevates it from the standard PBS Masterpiece Theater miniseries or two-hour drama. The metaphors for sexual desire are plentiful: horse back riding, singing, gratuitous displays of swordsmanship, having clothes torn by a spur or hair cut by a sword. Every character is plagued by over the top twists of fate. Each character is depicted more sympathetically than their novel’s counterparts, but the glossing over of negative characteristics makes certain characters’ actions seem rash, random and uncharacteristic.
Even though Far from the Madding Crowd was practically optimistic for Hardy in comparison to Tess of the D’Ubervilles, and I enjoyed this film adaptation, it was not a must see.

SPOILER

I could do without 201 animals dying in the first 10 minutes of Far from the Madding Crowd. Fortunately because it happens so early in the film, I was not emotionally invested in them and wasn’t reduced to a bawling weepy mess.