I Capture the Castleby Rose CurtinReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Studio
Credits Grade: 8 Set in England in the 1930s, I Capture the Castle is the story of introspective 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain (Romola Garai) and her family life in the rundown castle her father (Bill Nighy) rented with the proceeds of his first, highly acclaimed novel. Now he suffers from writers' block, and the family suffers from the poverty it brings. Cassandra's sister Rose (Rose Byrne) longs for a life of privilege, and when their American landlords come to England, it seems that she may finally get what she's always wanted. The girls soon learn that love isn't as simple as they'd imagined, and Cassandra tries to stop Rose from giving up her principles to achieve her dreams and to get their father writing again, all the while trying to be honest with herself.I Capture the Castle is based on the Dodie Smith's 1948 novel of the same name, a book I love because its voice is stronger than nearly any I've ever read. What amazed me when I saw the movie was the extent to which that voice stayed clear. Cassandra is a naive but perceptive girl, and Romola Garai manages to convey her uncomfortable position vacillating between childhood and adulthood. Bill Nighy is an outstanding comic actor, bringing a rough grace to what could have been a tragic figure. Tara Fitzgerald, playing Cassandra's stepmother Topaz, manages to be regal and kind and warm and eccentric. And it's Topaz, along with the directors, who got the movie its undeserved R rating. As in the book, Topaz has a tendency to commune with nature nude (well, other than galoshes) and the movie chooses to briefly show her nonsexual nudity, and so the MPAA has decided that seeing this would utterly corrupt the Youth of America. There is nothing else shocking or offensive in the entire movie, which I think would be ideal for teenagers who'd rather not watch another movie about dance contests or high school cliques. While obviously not a big-budget production, I Capture the Castle manages to create a lively, believable world. Whether showing a muddy, unheated castle or a glowing dinner party, the sets are beautiful, with plenty of visual references for those who've read the book. The acting is uniformly excellent, and the writing is mannered without being awkward. The DVD has the added feature of commentary by the director and screenwriter, mostly about issues of adaptation and the difficulties of shooting on location. There is also an interview with Romola Garai, who comes off as far less self-aware than the character she plays. Also on the DVD are several deleted scenes, including an alternate ending, which in this case show just how well-edited the movie was. Even though several scenes are derived from the novel, these scenes would have detracted from the themes and focus of the movie. While the movie is being marketed as a romantic and family comedy/drama, there are memorable scenes and plenty of big issues are addressed. It would be unfair to say it doesn't measure up to the book that is its source, because it succeeds quite well on its own terms, which can't cover as much interior or exterior ground as a book. It complements the book, and works perfectly well as a story for people who have never before met the Mortmains. Although the setting is historical, Cassandra is an appealing and modern heroine with strong views on freedom and honesty. I Capture the Castle is a charming and entertaining film for anyone old enough not to be disgusted by kissing scenes, and is fully appropriate as a family viewing experience despite its R rating. Written: January 31, 2004
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