Far from the Madding Crowd (2015)

Our tale is set in 1870's England, as imagined by the classic author Thomas Hardy's book of the same title. Far from London, in the western countryside, lives a capable shepherd, Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenhart) who has managed to save enough to rent his farm and buy his sheep. One fateful day, Oak spies a beautiful maiden, Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan) on horseback. This maiden, an orphan, has come to stay with her aunt and labor hard in her nearby farm. Smitten almost at once, Gabriel soon proposes to Bathsheba, promising a good life and a "piano". Alas, she turns him down, despite his great looks and manner. She declares she is not ready to be any man's property. Soon after, their fortunes are reversed. Gabriel loses his flock tragically, because of an over-zealous sheepdog. After selling everything he owns, he must vacate his house and look for work. Meanwhile, Bathsheba inherits a farm from her uncle and decides to run the place herself. It has a large beautiful house and successful fields. Amazingly, Gabriel comes by, helps put out a fire, and is hired as her shepherd. However, he is keenly aware that, because of his poverty, Bathsheba may never look his way again. There's more. B suddenly gets two more suitors. One is a neighboring, rich, confirmed bachelor, Mr. Boldwood (Michael Sheen), whose heart was broken long ago. That is, until Miss Everdene arrives and impetuously sends him a valentine. Not long after, a redcoat soldier, Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge) meets Bathsheba in the woods and becomes strongly attracted to this independent woman and, alas for Gabriel, visa versa. Who will, if any, our headstrong heroine choose? This film could hardly be more exceptional or exquisite. The cast is superb, starting with Mulligan and Schoenharts, and continuing down to the smallest role. Then, the story is a heart touching masterpiece, as Hardy put down on paper, and this film brings to a wider audience. Add on glorious scenery, beautiful costumes, and a superb direction and the film watching world is enthralled. This reviewer knows it will be the best film she will see all year and, as soon as it is released on DVD, will be first in line. So, movie fans will be well advised to go far and near to garner a cinema seat.