Brideshead Revisited

Aroview: Sound adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s classic novel of illicit love in the realms of High Society, set against the backdrop of pre-WWII Britain.

Devoting more screen time to the ambiguous relationship between aspiring artist Charles Ryder (Goode) and his wealthy gay friend Sebastian Flyte (Whishaw), this has a tendency to drag in places, and though commendably synthesising as much of the novel as it can into two-and-a-half hours, misses many of Waugh’s acute social observations. But while purists may not take kindly to the liberties the writers take with the plot (not to mention downplaying Waugh’s religious themes), fans of the TV mini-series should find this handsomely realised saga perfectly agreeable, despite the absence of Jeremy Irons.