I think they have fouled this book up. The mood is far too sombre and almost mournful.. I didn't see any of that in the book. The director has missed the knockabout, impishness that Waugh was so good at. I think the British film directors of the 1950's would have made a far better job.
For all his blond glorious good looks, Sebastian started to bore me already. It's these excerpts of Charles' interactions with other people, at this point, that appeals and endears me to the unfolding story.
John Gielgud is an amazing Ryder Senior. Just like in the book. Mr. Ryder has to be played as doddering, but malicious, and too many actors stray into the doddering territory when portraying the character. Gielgud plays it to perfection, with that touch of bite and asperity with those occasional malevolent looks behind a facade of apparent eccentricity and senility. He is a man who hoards his reclusiveness and treats his son with disdain accordingly, but with a veneer of civility.
That entire scene when the guest comes to dinner is absolutely hilarious. Why didn't Charles intervene or say something? Or maybe neither Charles nor the guest fully realised at the time that the father was pretending that the guest was American? Why are Charles and his father at war over the holidays? Is it because Charles wants more money and his father won't give it to him?
LOL That was hilarious when he pulls out the book at dinner and his father gets all upset with him! But he's a very funny character! It's so strange to see a young Jeremy Irons...I like him better older, actually.
@ericnfan Because he'd like to be in the company of Sebastian that summer, and he aches for he's company. It is too much for him to hear him to be so careless and always talking about his bear.
@MichaelAntonian I thought he tore up the letter because he didn't want it to be found and for people(his father especially) to think they were a couple. I am sure sebastian wrote a sweet letter.
@ericnfan He's a wonderful quirky character and played by the Master, John Gielgud, who, you can tell, had a great time with his role. I think Evelyn Waugh would have LOVED this version.
Ghastly evening!!! How wretched of Charles not to intervene on his guests behalf. dreadful cello playing :-/
globalman 2 months ago
I think they have fouled this book up. The mood is far too sombre and almost mournful.. I didn't see any of that in the book. The director has missed the knockabout, impishness that Waugh was so good at. I think the British film directors of the 1950's would have made a far better job.
priapus56 4 months ago
The "old boy" is no fool - he knows what he has been up to in college. lol
rh7onda7 8 months ago
wow, what a party!!! snore. yawn, stretch and out to a pub we go!! :)
marym499 1 year ago
The piece is the Faure Elegie for Cello and Orchestra.
lynxminx4 1 year ago
@lynxminx4 Thank God! Have been wondering what this piece is for some time! Much appreciated!
IbnHawariyyun 6 months ago
What a sublime pairing of actors, especially in the final part at the dinner table. That cello is awful, though. Eeeeh.
BaldGrace 1 year ago
For all his blond glorious good looks, Sebastian started to bore me already. It's these excerpts of Charles' interactions with other people, at this point, that appeals and endears me to the unfolding story.
xingsheng1 1 year ago
Does anyone know what the cello piece is that the guest is playing (yes, quite dreadfully)?
jayzee2000 1 year ago
John Gielgud is an amazing Ryder Senior. Just like in the book. Mr. Ryder has to be played as doddering, but malicious, and too many actors stray into the doddering territory when portraying the character. Gielgud plays it to perfection, with that touch of bite and asperity with those occasional malevolent looks behind a facade of apparent eccentricity and senility. He is a man who hoards his reclusiveness and treats his son with disdain accordingly, but with a veneer of civility.
BelatedCommiseration 1 year ago 6
goodness didn't his Father help him financially, out of his trouble ?
dreamcastII 1 year ago
That entire scene when the guest comes to dinner is absolutely hilarious. Why didn't Charles intervene or say something? Or maybe neither Charles nor the guest fully realised at the time that the father was pretending that the guest was American? Why are Charles and his father at war over the holidays? Is it because Charles wants more money and his father won't give it to him?
lizclegg 1 year ago
LOL That was hilarious when he pulls out the book at dinner and his father gets all upset with him! But he's a very funny character! It's so strange to see a young Jeremy Irons...I like him better older, actually.
lepsychokaybird 1 year ago
Dreadful cello.
capedcamish 1 year ago 5
I find this series very beautiful in sceney especially.
MichaelAntonian 1 year ago 4
why did he tear up the letter?
ericnfan 1 year ago 2
@ericnfan Because he'd like to be in the company of Sebastian that summer, and he aches for he's company. It is too much for him to hear him to be so careless and always talking about his bear.
Or at least I find it to be so.
MichaelAntonian 1 year ago 2
@MichaelAntonian I thought he tore up the letter because he didn't want it to be found and for people(his father especially) to think they were a couple. I am sure sebastian wrote a sweet letter.
ericnfan 1 year ago 3
LOL it's like a funeral
jindantang 2 years ago 3
I like Charles' father :)
ruzbehan 2 years ago 4
Interesting dining room - lined with books. Unusual.
LitCrit101 2 years ago
Really? For some of us, quite usual. I don't think there was an unbooked wall in our home growing up, thank heavens.
Shufei 2 years ago 8
Comment removed
holmsatlarge 2 years ago 5
@Shufei it is quite obvious the guest is english why does the dad pretend otherwise.
ericnfan 1 year ago 2
@ericnfan He's having his own private little joke, and also a message to Charles he finds the guest to be a bit of a bore.
skylur44 1 year ago
@skylur44 charles dad does seem pretty kooky so I am sure it is a joke that only he gets. haha
ericnfan 1 year ago
@ericnfan He's a wonderful quirky character and played by the Master, John Gielgud, who, you can tell, had a great time with his role. I think Evelyn Waugh would have LOVED this version.
skylur44 1 year ago
@LitCrit101 the food looks so bland just like the conersation with jockins
ericnfan 1 year ago 2
omg... this is a love storie! LooL Great Job D0nalF0ley! :)
kingofportugal555 2 years ago