Carrington *** ( Emma Thompson, Jonathan Pryce, Steven Waddington) – Classic Movie Review 1708

Writer-director Christopher Hampton’s 1995 drama provides another peep behind the scenes of English literature dissecting the odd, platonic but deep relationship between the sexually confused painter Dora Carrington (Emma Thompson) and gay writer Lytton Strachey (Jonathan Pryce), author of Eminent Victorians.

Carrington develops a physical relationship with soldier Ralph Partridge (Steven Waddington) and Strachey welcomes him as a friend, but Partridge dislikes his stance as a conscientious objector.

It may be a slightly shaky film, a bit long (at 122 minutes) and sedate, but it  is lit up by some fine scenes, revealing characters, good World War One England atmosphere and notable acting from a fine ensemble, but especially the two central performances.

Rufus Sewell, Samuel West, Penelope Wilton (as Lady Ottoline Morrell), Jane McTeer, Peter Blythe and Jeremy Northam also star.

Hampton’s screenplay is based on the mammoth biographical book about Strachey by Michael Holroyd.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1708

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