It's safe to say I had no idea what I was getting into when I sat to watch this. Any basic premise seems so straightforward, but the movie is decidedly not. Even Thomas Dolby's score is a bizarre kaleidoscope of themes that dances across a wide spectrum of styles and tones from one scene to the next, many of which pointedly clash with the period look and feel of the picture otherwise. There's astounding, airy cheekiness in the characters as written and the cast's whimsical portrayals thereof - an embrace, in each performance, of a nigh poetic fancy that matches the grandiosity of the dialogue, and which joins it in capturing the imagination and presumed debauchery of literary minds and Romantic ideals. This is to say nothing of the scene writing, direction, production design, and art direction that are one after the other a cavalcade of the fantastical and the downright strange. Through all this it feels like it takes a while for plot to decide to show up, and much of the picture comes across as a series of loosely attached imagery. 'Gothic' is not a movie for those seeking instant gratification, or something simple and easy to engage with.
For those with the patience and commitment to stick with it, however, the tableau that's stitched together becomes an enticing if odd and artful exploration of horror. Everything here does, after all, look and sound incredible, and the hard work and intelligence poured into this curiosity is a marvel. Stephen Volk's screenplay is a sinister yet playful retinue of fear and madness. The overarching narrative is pointedly less important than the disparate scenes that build it, the fictionalized characterizations of these renowned figures and their lives, and the beauteous dialogue that defines and enriches it all, yet these in and of themselves are splendid. Ken Russell again demonstrates his mastery of the medium as director, with tremendous skill brought out in his shot composition, the guidance of the cast, and the fundamental orchestration of each scene. The effects and special makeup are outstanding, further dressing up already impressive costume design and vanity work. Every creation assembled or fabricated for this very vividly visual presentation is a feast for the eyes, if sometimes a peculiar one.
All due commendations to the cast for so wholly leaning into such particular characters, and so atypical of performances. We expect the adoption of certain highfalutin sensibilities in a period piece, given far-flung social and cultural norms, yet given these specific characters and the romanticized conception of them, those ostentatious conceits are twisted into a new form even as they're taken to another level. Principals Gabriel Byrne, Julian Sands, Natasha Richardson, Myriam Cyr, and Timothy Spall are no strangers to genre fare, but I feel like this production was especially and uniquely demanding. All rose to the challenge with aplomb, doing much all by themselves to help make 'Gothic' a quietly dazzling and (to at least some degree) unforgettable experience.
Suffering somewhat from too weak a pace, the film is also dampened by a denouement that effectively drifts us off softly into the proverbial sunset; the very last impression the picture makes isn't as memorable as the rest of it. And for that matter, as well made as it is, and as sharp as many individual moments may be, overall this never quite achieves the profundity or visceral or emotional heights that would have elevated it to greater esteem. However, even with these shortcomings in mind 'Gothic' is, with mild inconsistency, roundly entrancing from beginning to end. The effort and imagination is undeniable, and if the final result isn't quite everything it could have been, it's still solidly enjoyable. It's perhaps a smaller audience than most who would best appreciate this, and it's recommendable above all for bibliophiles with an admiration for those figures centered herein, but if you have the chance to watch 'Gothic,' it's nonetheless well worth checking out.
For those with the patience and commitment to stick with it, however, the tableau that's stitched together becomes an enticing if odd and artful exploration of horror. Everything here does, after all, look and sound incredible, and the hard work and intelligence poured into this curiosity is a marvel. Stephen Volk's screenplay is a sinister yet playful retinue of fear and madness. The overarching narrative is pointedly less important than the disparate scenes that build it, the fictionalized characterizations of these renowned figures and their lives, and the beauteous dialogue that defines and enriches it all, yet these in and of themselves are splendid. Ken Russell again demonstrates his mastery of the medium as director, with tremendous skill brought out in his shot composition, the guidance of the cast, and the fundamental orchestration of each scene. The effects and special makeup are outstanding, further dressing up already impressive costume design and vanity work. Every creation assembled or fabricated for this very vividly visual presentation is a feast for the eyes, if sometimes a peculiar one.
All due commendations to the cast for so wholly leaning into such particular characters, and so atypical of performances. We expect the adoption of certain highfalutin sensibilities in a period piece, given far-flung social and cultural norms, yet given these specific characters and the romanticized conception of them, those ostentatious conceits are twisted into a new form even as they're taken to another level. Principals Gabriel Byrne, Julian Sands, Natasha Richardson, Myriam Cyr, and Timothy Spall are no strangers to genre fare, but I feel like this production was especially and uniquely demanding. All rose to the challenge with aplomb, doing much all by themselves to help make 'Gothic' a quietly dazzling and (to at least some degree) unforgettable experience.
Suffering somewhat from too weak a pace, the film is also dampened by a denouement that effectively drifts us off softly into the proverbial sunset; the very last impression the picture makes isn't as memorable as the rest of it. And for that matter, as well made as it is, and as sharp as many individual moments may be, overall this never quite achieves the profundity or visceral or emotional heights that would have elevated it to greater esteem. However, even with these shortcomings in mind 'Gothic' is, with mild inconsistency, roundly entrancing from beginning to end. The effort and imagination is undeniable, and if the final result isn't quite everything it could have been, it's still solidly enjoyable. It's perhaps a smaller audience than most who would best appreciate this, and it's recommendable above all for bibliophiles with an admiration for those figures centered herein, but if you have the chance to watch 'Gothic,' it's nonetheless well worth checking out.