I Capture the Castle

I CAPTURE THE CASTLE, despite its protagonist being a young 17-year old girl, offers a universal theme: love is beautiful and great, and it can also hurt. Everyone who has ever been a teen knows what the lead is going through -- unable to distinguish between love and lust, or even how the opposite sex feels about you. It's a magical time in a person's life, but it's also extremely frightening and confusing. So wander through the mine fields of love with care, but also know that the hurt can't possibly last, and will soon enough be replaced by another love. 7 out of 10 (go to www.nixflix.com for a more detailed review of the movie)

Some soon to be familiar faces here amongst the ladies, but they were up against a couple really unite resting male leads playing brothers. What was the attraction for the girls to these tree stumps? Rose Byrne was a surprise because she did more acting in this than she has managed during and post Damages. The story was sort of Cold Comfort Farm Meets Jane Austin set in 1930s England, although mainly actually shot in the Isle of Man and Wales. Overall the ending was disappointing.

Fairytales meet reality in this 1930s romance set in stunning scenery and with sumptuous period costumes to match. Two teenage girls struggle with their developing feelings whilst reduced to poverty in an old castle with their father, a famous writer-philosopher who has not published anything in twelve years. Two American lads enter their confined world and stir up confusing feelings of love, lust and a desire to escape their financial dilemma. There is nothing very 'deep' in this movie, apart from vague references as to whether it is ever acceptable to marry for money, but it is a delightfully executed love story, enriched with the two girls' elaborate fantasies, self-analysis, and stuff that dreams are made of. It largely avoids the triteness of modern romantic comedies and all but the weariest cynic will easily enjoy the delicate combination of post-Victorian manners and wooing that weave a captivating spell in an unfolding tale of visual beauty.

I am a fan of Dodie Smith's book and thought that this movie complemented the book very well. The style and look of the movie was brilliant. From the clothes to the scenery, it was a visual feast. The best part of this movie was the casting. The casting was perfect! Every actor fit their character beautifully. Romola Garai was great as the naive Cassandra. Henry Cavil is wonderful in his quiet, intense way (and of course he's gorgeous!), and Marcus Blucas and Henry Thomas were utterly charming as the Cotton brothers. The only thing I can say negative about this movie is that the conclusion was made very obvious. The relationships between characters was given away at the very beginning, lessening the impact of the ending. (It's more subtle in the book.) I highly request reading the book first, before seeing the movie! It will allow you to make your own assumptions about the characters before the movie reveals all! If you want to see a smart, romance I suggest this film!

I was enchanted by the cinematography, the actors and story. This is the way a movie should be made, with heart, humor and depth. A washed up and blocked writer for a father, an off the wall artistic step mother, a beautiful but pragmatic older sister and brainy little brother land in a picturesque but run down castle and scratch out a living while waiting for father's next great novel. Told from the point of view of a young girl coming of age, we see choices of survival, love and blunders of youth. From the very start of the movie I felt swept away by the story and acting. I wanted the story to go on........ 10 stars

The rights to this film were rescued from Disney. I dread to think what Disney would have done with the book. Thank goodness they never tried it! This book was one of my favourites, so I went to see the film in fear and trepidation. I needn't have worried. It is a beautiful film in its own right. Nothing was overstated. The emotions and nuances were captured perfectly by some wonderful performances, without the need to spell everything out in black and white. Please see this film. I haven't enjoyed anything so much in ages.