Far From the Madding Crowd is simply astonishing
If you prefer a romantic, yet dark movie, be prepared to head to the theater and get ready to experience a whole new world. Far From the Madding Crowd is simply astonishing.
Far From the Madding Crowd is based in Victorian England with leading character Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan), an independent young lady, working on her Aunt’s farm. Next to their farm lives Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), a sheep herder. Soon after they meet, he proposes marriage to Bathsheba, which she doesn’t give an answer, which was an alternative ‘no’ to Gabriel. Not much later, Bathsheba’s uncle dies and she inherits his property, a farm and the home. It had been little time since she moved in and the barn on the property catches fire, which is the perfect opportunity for Gabriel to come in and save the day. He is able to put out the fire on the roof and is therefore hired to work as a sheep herder and overseer of the farm. The neighboring plantation, William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), whom owns it, admires Bathsheba for her work and personality. She sends a valentine to him, with a poem saying he was sweet, making him think that she fancied him.
He watches her help wash the sheep, while she has fun at the same time, and asks to speak with her. Once she is in proper manner, Mr. Boldwood proposes marriage to her. Though he is older than her, he tells her he has wealth and can stabilize her. Bathsheba is very independent though, but doesn’t decline his offer just yet. He told her she must have an answer by Christmas. When it’s time, she declines and meets another man who is a sergeant, Francis Troy (Tom Sturridge). He originally loved a woman named Liddy (Jessica Barden), as they were supposed to get married but she showed up at the wrong church, and was never seen by him again.
She falls in love with Francis, and he meets her in the woods, gains her trust, and kisses her, it had been the first time Bathsheba had been kissed. He leaves, and when they meet again he proposes marriage and this time Bathsheba says yes. They get married and he spends most of her money on drinking and gambling, and Bathsheba’s farm starts to die out, since there is no money for supplies. Troy finds Liddy at a fair, and says he will bring her back home and give her all the money he has when he finds out she is carrying her child. A few nights later her body is found, and the child dead. He is heartbroken that Liddy is dead, as he never truly cared for Bathsheba, and swims out in the ocean and is said to drown.
Bathsheba is invited to Mr. Baldwood’s party, and she shows up with Gabriel. Mr. Baldwood shows Gabriel the ring that he will propose again with to Bathsheba. She dances with Gabriel and wanders off outside, where she is greeted by Francis Troy once again. He survived the ocean’s waves, and demands more money from his ‘wife’ Bathsheba, when Mr. Baldwood comes out with a gun and shoots Troy. Mr. Baldwood is then sent the jail for his crimes.
In a turn of events, Bathsheba’s farm grows once again, but Gabriel decides to pack his bags and leave for America for the hopes of a better life. He leaves early in the morning, and Bathsheba takes her horse and follows after him. When she catches up to him, she begs him not to leave, and says she’s in love with him. They end up back together, and will soon be married and they go back to live on the thriving property her uncle once owned.
Far From the Madding Crowd is an amazing story of hope, love, and independence. It shows the true aspects of the struggles in life, and portrays the beautiful Victorian England perfectly. With some of the most amazing acting I’ve seen in a while and how everything just falls in so perfectly, this is defiantly going to be a big movie for 2015.
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