The Go-Between (2015)

Just perfect...

hyped garbage

Best movie ever!

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

I have neither read the novel nor seen the first film adaptation, but after viewing the 2015 release of The Go Between I can understand why it was nominated for so many awards. Wonderful cinematography, exact period costumes, even how the outdoors shots were cleared of practically all remnants of modern life, put you there in 1900.Great acting by all of the cast, especially from Jack Hollington who plays young Leo.The stiffness and stuffiness of the Edwardian lifestyle for the British upper class is well presented in the film, although by 1900 cracks were beginning to appear in the veneer of this strict social structure of the haves and have-nots. The delineation of how and when the classes meet each other and interact is clearly displayed.My how times have changed in the 21st century. If the Queen's grandson may marry a mixed race American divorcee imagine what say a daughter of a mere Lord may have over her own life choices.

The TV adaption of The Go-Between is excellent. Dare I say it? Yes, why not – it was far more enjoyable than the book.Yet the drama was faithful to the book in nearly every respect. It didn't need to change much because, at its heart, The Go-Between is a good story with some fascinating characters. The story relates the experiences of a 12-year old boy from somewhat straightened family circumstances who spends his summer holidays with a very wealthy school chum at his grand home in the Norfolk countryside. He is 'used' as a messenger between a wealthy young lady, (the school chum's elder sister), and her working-class, tenant farmer lover. This leads to some predictable consequences – given that the sister is betrothed to the local Lord, who has ugly facial scars from his time in the Boer War.The film spares us the unlikely contemplations of the boy messenger, but allows us to watch him as he slowly comes to realise that the business between the two is not really 'business' business, but 'love affair' business.It is particularly poignant because our little hero has developed a boyhood crush on his chum's sister and on top of this he has become a bit of a snob. He thoroughly disapproves of the clash of classes and he wants her to marry the ugly Lord.The film is brilliantly acted by one and all. I have not come across any of the actors before, save the wonderful Jim Broadbent who plays a cameo role as the boy some fifty years later.The camera work of the grand house, the characters in their Victorian finery and especially the Norfolk countryside is mesmerising. Somehow, the cinematography brings to life a long- forgotten era of England during the years before the First World War; when walking and horse carts were still the main form of transport, and a time when everyone still kowtowed to the Lord of the Manor.So much was to change so soon – as the 'boy' recalls when he returns to the area for the first time, some 50 years later. Search for this TV drama on DVD or legal download and enjoy it. But skip the book.

One can understand the BBC's desire to remake "Cider with Rosie" and "Lady Chatterley's Lover", and perhaps even "An Inspector Calls", although the last has at least two fine filmed versions, but their decision to remake "The Go-Between" was a misguided one.Jospeh Losey's 1971 version is one of those rare occasions in which everything seemed to be right - a top notch cast, beautiful cinematography, a terrific Michel Legrand score and a superb Harold Pinter screenplay. L.P. Hartley himself was moved to tears after seeing the film. So then why remake it? How could it possibly fare in comparison?This television version does not even begin to complete with its predecessor. Adrian Hodge shows little faith in his audience forgoing any subtlety in his dialogue and general characterisation. The cast are a pale and uncharismatic bunch. Seek out Hartley's novel and Losey's film – they are masterpieces. Skip this one.

I am, more often than not, left disappointed when my favourite literary classics are adapted for television or the big screen, and while this BBC production of LP Hartley's novel is not perfect, it does better than most.The drama begins with a crushed, sorrowful looking older Leo (Jim Broadbent) travelling on a train to Norfolk, the scene of his foreign past. He imagines his younger self, (Jack Hollington) who accuses him of being a "Dull Dog." The older Leo then lays the blame for him being this "creature of ashes and cinder" squarely on the shoulders of his younger self. I found it to be a clever, and moving way of beginning the story. We then travel back fifty years in time to the scorching summer of 1900 and the characters that would haunt Leo into his old age.Leo spends his holidays at the country manor of his upper-class friend Marcus. (Samuel Joslin) It is here that he meets the beautiful, but manipulative and selfish Marian, (Joanna Vanderham) who he becomes instantly besotted with. He then becomes a postman of sorts, as he delivers love letters between Marian and her bit of rough, the tenant farmer Ted Burgess. (Ben Batt)Over the course of the summer, Leo feels increasingly uncomfortable and guilty about ferrying these correspondence, which he now knows aren't just "normal letters," back and forth. The engagement of Marian to the landlord, war hero, and thoroughly decent Trimingham (Stephen Campbell Moore) increases Leo's torment even further.I found it to be well directed, beautifully shot, with picture perfect locations. The performances were excellent throughout, especially from Master Hollington as young Leo. His acting was subtle, natural, intuitive and he had a charismatic presence that you could not take your eyes off of. One to watch out for I would say.At times it felt a little rushed, especially at the end where Broadbent returns as Leo, Batt as Marian's grandson, and Vanessa Redgrave plays the part of an older Marian. That is just a small complaint though. Overall, I found it to be a very moving adaptation of my favourite LP Hartley novel