Carrington

Carrington is an enthralling 1995 dramatic biopic that dives deep into the heart and life of the English painter and decorative artist Dora Carrington. The film stars thespian stalwarts Emma Thompson in the titular role with a mesmerizing performance, alongside Jonathan Pryce known for his crafty delivery, and Steven Waddington. This movie is written and directed by the multi-talented Christopher Hampton, well-known for his monstrous contributions to the world of British cinema.

The story of Carrington is set largely in England during the early years of the 20th century, encompassing the time-frame of one of the world's most calamitous wars, World War I, up to the eve of another, World War II. The narrative is primarily centered on Dora Carrington's complex relationship with the writer Lytton Strachey, played brilliantly by Jonathan Pryce. While the two lived together in a deeply intimate, though largely platonic, relationship for 17 years, each enjoyed romantic liaisons with various other persons; Carrington with men, Strachey with men as well.

Emma Thompson's portrayal of Dora Carrington is both striking and engaging, as she brings to life the character's vibrant spirit, boundless creativity, and unconventional life choices. Thompson makes the audience empathize with, judge, and ultimately understand this complex artist and her life in a manner that makes her real, tangible, flawed, and human.

Jonathan Pryce as Lytton Strachey is no less than mesmerizing. He indulges in the character, and delves deep to capture Strachey's brilliance, his unique personality, his eccentricity, and his ability to form lasting connections with the people around him, despite the strong contrast between his personal preferences and the normative expectations of the society he lived in.

Steven Waddington, playing one of Carrington's lovers, Ralph Partridge, brings a certain charm to his role that garners the perfect level of animosity and sympathy. His performance encapsulates the sometimes intense, sometimes tumultuous relationship Carrington had with the men around her.

The film is beautifully shot, with the cinematography capturing the essence of the historical timeframe in which it was set. The verdant countryside, the grand architecture, the contrasting bohemian lifestyle alongside high society's posh hullaballoo, all come together to paint a vivid picture not unlike Carrington's eclectic artwork. The costume and set design, true to the period, further add a layer of authenticity to the movie.

One of the film's many strengths is its poignant dialogue. Characters engage in intellectually stimulating conversations that reflect the Bohemian lifestyle and free-thinking attitude of the Bloomsbury Group, of which Strachey, Virginia Woolf, and other intellectuals, writers, and artists were a part. The movie employs these thoughtful dialogues to showcase the Group's progressive ideals on art, love, sexuality, and relationships, serving as an intriguing contrast to the suffocating societal norms typical of that time.

On a whole, Carrington is more than just a biopic; it carves itself into a narrative of love, friendship, art, and defiance against societal norms. It poses hard questions about the nature of love, the boundaries of societal convention and personal freedom. It is a movie which critiques yet appreciates the complexities inherent in love, reflecting that love is more about understanding and accepting rather than conforming to a stipulated norm.

Under the masterful direction of Christopher Hampton, Carrington takes a daring look at the extraordinary life of an overlooked yet substantial artist. It presents a remarkable interweaving of the worlds of art, literature, and social norms, questioning fulfilling platonic love and unfulfilled romantic encounters. It offers viewers historical context, emotional depth, and thought-provoking conversations; making it a must-watch for those who appreciate biographical films of intellectual substance.