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alexiscartwheel) wrote2008-04-19 04:18 pm
alexiscartwheel) wrote2008-04-19 04:18 pm
Bright Young Things
On the bus ride from Ottawa back in October I read Evelyn Waugh’s bizarre satirical novel Vile Bodies. You know those books that you finish reading and think “I’m not quite sure what to make of that, but I think I liked it”? It was one of those. Upon further reflection, I decided it was a good book, and when I found out that it had been adapted into the film Bright Young Things I thought it would be worth a look.
The film stars Stephen Campbell Moore (Evan from Ashes to Ashes) as Adam Fenwick-Symes, the hero of the story, such as it were. Adam and his fiancée Nina (Emily Mortimer) are members of the exclusive set of English high society—the bright young things. They and their friends live a hedonistic lifestyle and are constant fodder for the London gossip columnists, and the film follows their amusing but self-destructive antics.
I really enjoyed the film, which is very faithful to the novel—even retaining much of the original dialogue. It’s also quite visually pleasing; I’m a sucker for a period setting. The ensemble cast includes a number of great actors, including Stockard Channing (an American evangelist), Jim Broadbent (a drunk major), Peter O’Toole (Nina’s senile father), James McAvoy (a frazzled gossip columnist), and David Tennant (Adam’s rich rival). My favorite part of the movie—which was also my favorite in the book—is when Adam takes over as gossip columnist at one of the papers. He invents his own new celebrities, who are soon the talk of the town, and starts ridiculous fashion trends.
That said, though I enjoyed Bright Young Things, I’d have reservations recommending it generally, because I think I lot of people would really hate it. Period satire—modern relevancy notwithstanding—just isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. The characters are entertaining but difficult to like, their ridiculous natures sometimes humorous, sometimes bleak. But if Waugh’s type of humor is something you enjoy, definitely check it out.
The film stars Stephen Campbell Moore (Evan from Ashes to Ashes) as Adam Fenwick-Symes, the hero of the story, such as it were. Adam and his fiancée Nina (Emily Mortimer) are members of the exclusive set of English high society—the bright young things. They and their friends live a hedonistic lifestyle and are constant fodder for the London gossip columnists, and the film follows their amusing but self-destructive antics.
I really enjoyed the film, which is very faithful to the novel—even retaining much of the original dialogue. It’s also quite visually pleasing; I’m a sucker for a period setting. The ensemble cast includes a number of great actors, including Stockard Channing (an American evangelist), Jim Broadbent (a drunk major), Peter O’Toole (Nina’s senile father), James McAvoy (a frazzled gossip columnist), and David Tennant (Adam’s rich rival). My favorite part of the movie—which was also my favorite in the book—is when Adam takes over as gossip columnist at one of the papers. He invents his own new celebrities, who are soon the talk of the town, and starts ridiculous fashion trends.
That said, though I enjoyed Bright Young Things, I’d have reservations recommending it generally, because I think I lot of people would really hate it. Period satire—modern relevancy notwithstanding—just isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. The characters are entertaining but difficult to like, their ridiculous natures sometimes humorous, sometimes bleak. But if Waugh’s type of humor is something you enjoy, definitely check it out.
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And I haven't gotten around to reading Vile Bdies yet, though I suppose I may have to. Maybe Evelyn Waugh just isn't my cup of tea, as it were.
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