Jan Wahl Movie Review: 'Far From The Madding Crowd' and 'Adult Beginners'

You can hear KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl's movie reviews on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM Fridays at 8:53am & 4:53pm

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl reviews "Far From the Madding Crowd," a remake of a classic Thomas Hardy novel starring Carey Mulligan, and "Adult Beginners" starring Bobby Cannavale.

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD (PG-13)

In 1967 there was a hit film starring Julie Christy, directed by Midnight Cowboy's John Schlesinger, also based on the classic Thomas Hardy novel. Usually remakes don't work, but this one does. It all takes place in Victorian England, is beautifully detailed and tells the story of a woman ahead of her time.

Though not stunningly beautiful as Christie in the earlier film, Carey Mulligan is feisty and independent, adding to the idea of men wanting to control her. The emotional restraint of Victorian sexuality at one point takes her away from business, and part of the engrossing plot is to see how this smart woman will get out of this mistake.

Gorgeous cinematography, filmed where Hardy wrote the book and costumes and sets give us a real feeling of being in another time and place.

Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Director:Thomas Vinterberg
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen

ADULT BEGINNERS (R)

A perfect title for the story of an arrogant New York City entrepeneur who goes belly up, bankrupting his friends and himself. He flees to his childhood home, moving in on his sister, her husband and their three-year-old son. It's easy to beleive in our lead actor Nick Kroll, Rose Byrne is effective, but underwritten. And, as always, Bobby Cannavale steals every scene he's in. This movie will work fine at home where you can give yourself a Bobby Cannavale film festival; including The Station Agent.

Studio: Radius TWC 
Director: Ross Katz
Starring: Nick Kroll, Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale

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