In the process of watching the film, I always think of BRIDESHEAD REVISITED, which is also the United Kingdom after World War I. In the atmosphere of decline after the glory, the men and women who used to be dressed in fine clothes desperately seized the scales and claws of the past and held on to the waves behind them. The upstarts who have just washed their feet and went to the field are dismissive and dismissive. Even if they are contemptuous, they still have some measure. Who makes their own confidence insufficient?
Britain after the First World War was a special era. The war destroyed not only the tangible material, but also the intangible spirit. There are also many reflections in the works of that period, such as the deranged young husband in MRS DALLOWAY, SEBASTIAN in BRIDESHEAD REVISITED, and of course the frustrated father-in-law MR. WHITTAKER played by COLIN FIRTH in this film who has experienced the stimulation of war. These frustrated men either avoided suicide by committing suicide, or by indulging in alcoholism to forget, and those ladies who used to be in the midst of the scenery did not hear the fireworks of the world, at this time, in addition to pretending to be nonchalant, they kept the facade and maintained a prosperous appearance. In private, there is no one to be with.
MR. WHITTAKER (played by KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS) maintains a huge family and a huge mansion despite the superficial beauty. Her husband, who once loved each other, was stimulated by war and death. After the war, he wandered around the European continent without returning, and was finally found by her from the Fengyue site. People are back, but this slovenly, silent and evasive man is no longer the husband she is familiar with. In this way, a woman's character slowly changes in trivial days: outsiders still seem elegant and gentle, and what she no longer pretends to be in front of her family is her irritable and acerbic nature. Before the young and inexperienced son and the racing-loving American widow Larita fell in love at first sight and got married in a flash, the servants in the family were the object of the hostess' venting, and the two daughters to be married were the bargaining chips of the mother. The chihuahua is a little comfort for the hostess when she is frustrated, and her husband has long since become a stranger.
In the gloomy days before Christmas, the anticipation of a festive family reunion and preparation for the festive atmosphere are emotional highlights. The precious son who went out to play in the mountains and water should also come back. However, what made his jaw drop is that the son brought back a new daughter-in-law. The new daughter-in-law is an American widow. The age of the American widow is similar to that of her mother-in-law. It is even more unbearable for the old-fashioned upper class society.
The good drama has begun: whenever a daughter-in-law enters the door, it is always better for the father-in-law, and the mother-in-law is a headache, not to mention that there are still two aunts to be married. The rules of the British family cannot be used by Americans across the Atlantic Ocean; the unhinderedness in front of the new couple cannot be described in words, and it can only be understood if "Lady Chatterley's Lover" is shown; The husband can't bear it. If there is a war, let the man go away first.
Due to the disparity of status in the open and secret struggle between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, it is the daughter-in-law who is most angry. Where can the lightning marriage of love at first sight have time to get to know each other? With the efforts of the sister-in-law, the background story of the daughter-in-law slowly surfaced: the cause of the death of the ex-husband is unknown, and he may have died under his wife's hands. The news was too shocking to the world. In addition to seeing his daughter-in-law like an old father-in-law breathing fresh air in his depression, even his son, who was as innocent as a blank sheet of paper, could not accept it. He asked the daughter-in-law who stole his youth as compensation: why is this big Are you hiding things from me?
The results can be imagined: the lively Christmas Eve, the father-in-law and the daughter-in-law danced a tango, and both ran away from home. The funny ending characterizes the comedy color of the film.
Let's talk about it again:
1. The shadow of DARCY can no longer be found in COLIN FIRTH. Time is not forgiving! The fat, vicissitudes of life middle-aged man, with a stubble beard, looks a little down and out no matter what. The highlight was the tango at the end was great!
2. KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS's thin eye sockets are deeply sunken, and his temperament is very good. He looks a bit mean and bitter, which is in line with the character description. The acting skills are excellent, and the gestures are overwhelming, which makes the stupid and big daughter-in-law lose with good reason.
3. The scenery of the English countryside is really beautiful, even in winter, it is mysterious and warm. Those dreamy mists are understandable, but where did those brilliant sunshine come from?
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