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Cold Comfort Farm (film)
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Wikipedia article
'Cold Comfort Farm' is a 1995 British comedy film directed by John Schlesinger and produced by the BBC and Thames Television, an adaptation of Stella Gibbons' 1932 book of the same name, the film stars Kate Beckinsale, Joanna Lumley, Ian McKellen and Rufus Sewell. Originally broadcast on 1 January 1995 on the BBC, it was Schlesinger's final film shot in his home country of Britain, and was picked up for theatrical release in North America through Gramercy Pictures, where it was a small success.
Plot
After the death of her estranged parents, young Flora Poste, goes to stay with her friend, the eccentric divorcee Mrs. Mary Small. Flora initially aspires to be a writer, deciding that the only way for her to live whilst researching her writing is to stay one of her many dreadful relatives. Mary suggests anything else, including beekeeping. However, as a lingerie and corset collector, onlookers might reasonably question her judgement as to an appropriate occupation for a well-bred but poor young woman.
Due to her, relative, lack of means, Her city-based relations show no interest. Flora sends letters to her country relatives. While the smattering of responses are generally unsuitable, one isintriguing. Flora chooses to stay for a while with the Starkadder branch of the family on their rundown farm.
The Starkadders are motley assortment of rustic, uncouth, truly eccentric, and quite possibly mad characters. Each of whom has a secret and not so secret hearts desire. Floras desire is to find out what the ancient wrong which was done to her father and what the resulting doom lays over the Starkadder farm.
She finds out that her cousin Judith, is morose and depressed while Judiths husband, Amos, wants nothing more than to be the leader of his own, somewhat Pentecostal religion, the quivering children. But believing himself responsible Ethel farm, and shunning vanity, he makes everyone else unhappy. Meanwhile the brothers Seth and Amos fear Floras influence and believe shes come to take the farm away from them.
Flora quickly realises that, as a sensible, modern woman, she has the ability assess, coax and organize each person into solving their own problems. Unfortunately, she isnt as adept at solving her own; the book and her own love life.
Whilst smoothing out life at Cold Comfort Farm a most unsuitable, obnoxious suitor. The Byronic Mr. Mybug, pursues her relentlessly, inappropriately and noisily despite her rebuffs.
Cast
Production
The film was edited at Rank Film Laboratories, part of The Rank Organisation. The film itself reached a length of 2,902 metres, and ultimately became 105 minutes long in movie format. The soundtrack was created through development of pre-existing pieces remixed for the film. The majority of the songs used in the film were arranged by Robert Lockhart. The soundtrack was recorded at Lansdowne Studios in London, and was rerecorded at Twickenham Film Studios.
Director John Schlesinger was the only one who thought it would work in North America cinemas and so had to put up the money himself to blow up the print from 16mm to 35mm; he took the new format to the Toronto Film Festival, where its success led to a North American release.
The production visited Kent where they filmed at Kent & East Sussex Railway which provided the trains for Flora's journey from London to her relatives at Cold Comfort Farm and Northiam station in East Sussex which is the fictional railway station of Beershorne.
Further scenes were filmed in Brightling in East Sussex, and Twickenham Studios in London.
The Royal Military Canal was also used for scenes where Flora and Elfine walk and chat.
Reception
In the opening weekend of the film's release in the United States, it grossed $4,139,000. During its theatrical release in North America, the film grossed $5,682,429 in total.
'Cold Comfort Farm' received generally positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes it has an approval rating of 83% based on reviews from 40 critics.
Emanuel Levy of Variety wrote: "The fun that Schlesinger and his first-rate ensemble must have had while working on this production is infectious, for there isn't one dull -- or quiet -- moment in the film."
References
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