I Capture the Castle Review
by Shannon Patrick Sullivan (shannon AT morgan DOT ucs DOT mun DOT ca)November 1st, 2003
I CAPTURE THE CASTLE (2003) / ***
Directed by Tim Fywell. Screenplay by Heidi Thomas, from the novel by Dodie Smith. Starring Romola Garai, Rose Byrne, Henry Thomas. Running time: 113 minutes. Rated AA by the MFCB. Reviewed on October 30th, 2003.
By SHANNON PATRICK SULLIVAN
Synopsis: Acclaimed author James Mortmain (Bill Nighy) has suffered a protracted dry spell. Destitute, he moves his family into an abandoned castle, where his daughters Cassandra (Garai) and Rose (Byrne) grow into lovely women. One day, the Mortmains meet two young Americans, Simon Cotten (Thomas) and his brother Neil (Marc Blucas), who have inherited the land on which the castle stands. Rose becomes determined to marry Simon and escape her threadbare existence -- but will either sister find love?
Review: "I Capture The Castle" is one of those British films where everybody is a mostly-lovable eccentric and matters of the heart are paramount. If you've seen this sort of movie before, you should have a pretty good idea of what to expect this time, too. That said, "I Capture The Castle" does serve as a more grounded example of the genre, relying less on contrived melodrama and more on genuine emotions. Consider James, the head of the oddball Mortmain clan. Superficially, James is the traditional barmy dad, a wild-eyed artist whose utterances are variously crazy or brilliant (and sometimes both). Yet "I Capture The Castle" is not afraid to shed further light on the character, giving us insight into the motivations for, and consequences of, James' peculiar manner. This, together with Nighy's fine acting, helps to create a deeper character than would normally be the case. "I Capture The Castle" benefits from several similarly strong, appealing performances, including Garai's winning turn as "normal" daughter Cassandra. Joe Sowerbutts is also memorable as the irrepressible Mortmain son, Thomas. Beautifully filmed on the Isle of Man, "I Capture The Castle" makes us long for an England which probably never really existed -- one full of crumbling castles and the romantic intrigues which play out therein. At least we can visit that England at the cinema.
Copyright © 2003 Shannon Patrick Sullivan.
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