Authentic and polished but often ponderous and puzzling

Rating: 6/10 (1 January 2019)

The acting performances of the three female leads Olivia, Rachel and Emma are engaging and impressive along with Nicholas Hoult who nails his part superbly. Hatfield House is showcased very well albeit the entire film seems to have been shot in one week of very overcast and bleak weather between the death of Daffodils and the first flowering of Wisteria during the coldest Spring on record. The drab light adds a wonderful authenticity to the lighting which seems either genuinely natural or candle lit. The costume design is very well done from the peasant and servant garb through to the gentry fineries. Sadly this is neither the Madness of King George nor the Draughtsman's Contract as it becomes ponderous and at times dull while it dawdles to its puzzling and unsatisfying conclusion. It's the first 15A film that I ever knowingly attended. Your average accompanied 15 year old might not thank you for stealing 2 hours and 1 minute of their youthful lifespan.