tcab

This is a totally stupid and disgusting and cynical movie. Stupid because the plot is so childishly contrived and derivative you'd have to be a moron to believe it. Disgusting not for the ridiculously over-the-top violence and gore, or Nicholas Cage's terrible acting, but how it insults your intelligence. And derivative because it sets a new standard for use of clichés and crap we've seen a million times before.

It is also disgusting that impressionable and ignorant kids might see this movie, which is one big lie about life, about the effects of beating and brutality on its victims, etc. It is pure sadism for the sake of sadism, and there is nothing else in this movie to redeem it. Miller is the ultimate cynical panderer to the lowest taste level. He should be drummed out of the business.

All the reviewers commented on the weak character development and the beautiful photography, but no one commented on the ridiculousness and unbelievability of the plot, with transparent, contrived devices:

1. When the sheep were sick, Gabriel was only man in the whole neighborhood of farmers and sheep herders who knew what to do about it. So they all stood around like idiots waiting for him to arrive. Ridiculous.

2.When the storm threatened the haystacks, Gabriel was too timid to go up to Troy in the party and make him realize the farm was about to be ruined. No one except Gabriel knew there was a problem—like they hadn't a clue the storm might be bad for the hay. Ridiculous.

3.When Bathsheba encounters Gabriel and hires him for her farm, both characters act like they had never in their lives ever seen each other before. Ridiculous.

Additionally, while Boldwood, Gabriel and Troy were paper thin stereotypes, Bathsheba was a hopelessly confused and poorly realized character, wildly vacillating between proud, strong, meek, girlish, tough, headstrong, conceited, foolishly childish, coquettish, vain, flirtatious— you name it, she had it, and none of it coherent or believable.