Gratuitous Llama Netflix Movie Review

A Handful of Dust (1988).

Based on the savage comic novel of Evelyn Waugh, this movie struck me as a perfect example of a film that's got the words, but hasn't got the tune. Pretty much faithful to Waugh's plot and dialogue (albeit cut down considerably), it comes across as disappointingly bland. Whereas every time I read the book I am filled with various degrees of anger, horror, frustration, sympathy and snarky pleasure, watching the movie left me for the most part indifferent.

A shame, too, because so many things were done right. The period detail is marvelous and the outdoor scenes beautifully shot. The actors, too, all look right in their parts - Kristin Scott Thomas as the horrid Brenda Last in particular reminded me of a young Siân Phillips. But again, there was a curious lack of spirit among them. Even Alec Guiness, as the psychotic Mr. Todd, couldn't rescue the film from its cream-of-wheatness.

In short, it's a decent costume drama and perhaps a good primer for anybody thinking of picking up the book for the first time but maybe hoping for a few Cliff's notes on the time, place and manner before tackling it, but I definitely feel that having seen this film once was enough for me.