Likewise, she presents the realities of late 19th century social mores in as harsh a light as possible. Frankly, Strindberg has been unjustly labeled a misogynist based on shallow readings of the most problematic passages in “Miss Julie,” but as an extreme naturalist, he represented life as it was, not as he thought it should be. Ullmann’s adaptation will do little to rehabilitate him with those inclined to misinterpret.
Regardless, as an intimate three-hander (for all intents and purposes), any production of “Miss Julie” offers an opportunity for its principles to shine. Unfortunately, even though we can see Jessica Chastain and Colin Farrell trying their hardest, they just cannot find the keys to unlock their characters.
Nonetheless, Chastain understands a glacial reserve is often required for Miss Julie, while Farrell can deliver the appropriate malevolent intensity to maintain the dramatic dynamics. They are both excellent performers (Farrell is especially undervalued), but they simply can’t quite land these roles.
Conversely, Samantha Morton truly taps into the essence of Kathleen, powerfully conveying the comfort she takes from her (formerly Calvinist) faith and the hardscrabble certainties of her class.
It is always nice to see Ullman take another shot at a literary classic and given her accomplished work with Ingmar Bergman and Jan Troell, as well as her celebrated Broadway turns. We ought to be interested in any project Ullmann takes on. Yet, it is hard to get a sense of what exactly it was about the play that originally spoke to her.
Nonetheless, she makes the kitchen of Castle Coole in County Fermanagh fill the screen quite cinematically. The soundtrack, featuring fresh recordings of Schubert and Schumann, is also quite lovely, but it is cranked up a bit too high in the sound-mix.
Altogether, it is a classy production, but it rarely gets past the outward forms and down to the inner truths. Recommended primarily for Swedish-Norwegian-Irish expats and fans of the big-name cast, “Miss Julie” opens Friday, Dec. 5, in New York at the Landmark Sunshine.
’Miss Julie’
Director: Liv Ullmann
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton
Running time: 2 hours, 9 minutes
Release date: Dec. 5
Joe Bendel writes about independent film and lives in New York. To read his most recent articles, please visit www.jbspins.blogspot.com
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