Picture this: a woman leaves her three children and husband behind, she gambles all their money, their house, their business, on an impossible task for which she is unqualified and hilariously under prepared. Then, realising she will never full fill what was promised she commits suicide, leaving her family to deal with the aftermath of her failings, and to face life without her.
Who would be telling that woman's story? Would anyone try to understand the workings of her mind, or what led her to make these choices? Would she ever become anything more than a cautionary tale for women out there, who ever dare to dream of being more than wives and mothers?
I had never heard the story of Donald Crowhurst before, and after reading the synopsis of this film, I did not research the Times Golden Globe before actually watching the film. After the story began, even though I was finding this man's attempt to compete absurd, and couldn't understand why the people around him weren't being more upset about his decision, I assumed he would eventually be the victorious underdog. Therefore, the general joyousness of his departure seemed in tune with the cheerful and relaxed atmosphere that characterised the first part of the film.
Rachel Weisz was brilliant. Even though the script would have you believe this man was a tragic hero, her face whenever she was on camera, was telling the true tale, from the very beginning. Pain, fear, anxiety. So many women have been in this woman's shoes. Left behind by impossible men, who think their lives are too little for them, who think they deserve that something more, who ache to leave their mark on the world, and don't think much of anyone else. Nonetheless she was there, supporting, holding up the fort while he was away, fending for the family and in the end, suffering alone, and picking up the mess. As far as I'm concerned, that noble woman was the true hero of the story.
Colin Firth also made an admirable effort, but he was far too level-headed for the most part. Someone in that situation would have been more tense, a lot less in control. In all honesty I couldn't help myself but feel sorry for this man, all these months on a boat alone, understanding the horrible consequences of a ridiculous decision. In the end, he took the easy way out, and that's as far as my pity went. If the film had left the blame for the utter ruin of the family to him, we, as viewers, would have found ourselves feeling very much ashamed, for caring for such a man's story.
The film's attempt to shift the consequences of his actions on to the press, was ridiculous, but made for a good story, which I suppose is why this is actually a decent film, about a quite pitiful man, and his poor struggling wife. It would have made a much better story, if it had been told from her perspective. The harsh reality of her everyday life vs the tragic beauty of her condemned belief and hope in her husband's attempt at achieving greatness.
Who would be telling that woman's story? Would anyone try to understand the workings of her mind, or what led her to make these choices? Would she ever become anything more than a cautionary tale for women out there, who ever dare to dream of being more than wives and mothers?
I had never heard the story of Donald Crowhurst before, and after reading the synopsis of this film, I did not research the Times Golden Globe before actually watching the film. After the story began, even though I was finding this man's attempt to compete absurd, and couldn't understand why the people around him weren't being more upset about his decision, I assumed he would eventually be the victorious underdog. Therefore, the general joyousness of his departure seemed in tune with the cheerful and relaxed atmosphere that characterised the first part of the film.
Rachel Weisz was brilliant. Even though the script would have you believe this man was a tragic hero, her face whenever she was on camera, was telling the true tale, from the very beginning. Pain, fear, anxiety. So many women have been in this woman's shoes. Left behind by impossible men, who think their lives are too little for them, who think they deserve that something more, who ache to leave their mark on the world, and don't think much of anyone else. Nonetheless she was there, supporting, holding up the fort while he was away, fending for the family and in the end, suffering alone, and picking up the mess. As far as I'm concerned, that noble woman was the true hero of the story.
Colin Firth also made an admirable effort, but he was far too level-headed for the most part. Someone in that situation would have been more tense, a lot less in control. In all honesty I couldn't help myself but feel sorry for this man, all these months on a boat alone, understanding the horrible consequences of a ridiculous decision. In the end, he took the easy way out, and that's as far as my pity went. If the film had left the blame for the utter ruin of the family to him, we, as viewers, would have found ourselves feeling very much ashamed, for caring for such a man's story.
The film's attempt to shift the consequences of his actions on to the press, was ridiculous, but made for a good story, which I suppose is why this is actually a decent film, about a quite pitiful man, and his poor struggling wife. It would have made a much better story, if it had been told from her perspective. The harsh reality of her everyday life vs the tragic beauty of her condemned belief and hope in her husband's attempt at achieving greatness.