Adaptation of Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya" set in rural Australia in the 1920s. Jack Dickens and his niece Sally run the family farm to support brother-in-law Alexander as a (supposedly brilliant) literary critic in London. Action begins when Alexander returns with his beautiful young wife Deborah, revealing himself as an arrogant failure and wanting to sell the farm out from under Jack. Blakemore introduces themes about Australia's separation from England, as well as expanding the pacifist and ecological philosophies espoused by the local Doctor Max Askey.
Reviews
The Country Life is what I consider to be a pretty run-in-the-mill rich-people-go-into-the-country-and- the=country-folk-teach-them-a-lesson type of movie. Michael Blakemore and Greta Scaachi play two upper crust British folk who set foot in the beautiful Australian countryside to visit his relations that he hasn't seen forever. He's acquired much success in the city, something not lost on the country folk. However, just like me, when the spoiled rich people go into the country, it's not quite the same lifestyle. Soon, they try to change the whole house upside down, and even getting to the point where they want to sell it. The country folk, needless to say, are not amused. The plot in this is rather predictable, sort of like City Slickers meets Gosford Park. Everyone seems to have a high upper nose about the whole thing, and I HATE movies like that. The acting for this is pretty good, Michael Blakemore and Greta Scaachi are good as the city couple, and Kerry Fox and John Hargreaves (doing a damned good Eric Idle impersonation) are all pretty good. Sam Neill's character, though a necessity in the plot, I feel is somewhat needless here.Oh, and for those of you wondering, no, Blur's 'Country House' is not in the movie.
Uncle Vanja in the Australian outback with a perfect rendering of the characters; engrossing, entertaining, and the sad ending as well. I voted it a "10". It looks like Hollywood could learn a lot from Australia.
i think that chekhov has been treated badly in many theatrical productions of this play, but this film and the welsh 'uncle vanya,' AUGUST, [with anthony hopkins] are beautiful and heartfelt versions of the story...those who think this is a "disappointing" film are not getting the point...the story is, in fact, about people who are very disappointed in life and love...get it???...chekhov takes a certain patience and maturity to understand...i'm happy that both these films and VANYA ON 42ND STREET were made...chekhov's characters are deep and tragic, but also shallow and comic...just like the rest of us, eh???...give it a looksee...and a chance...
The director, Michael Blakemore, takes an artistic gamble by loosely adapting Anton Chekhov's play, Uncle Vanya, to Australia. It works on his terms, with Blakemore doing a fine job as the returning native son. Greta Scacchi, whose effect on the locals as his new and young wife is presented in an effective fashion, also performs well. The direction is somewhat uneven and, as a result, the cast does not achieve an ensemble effect so important for the filmization/adaptation. Sam Neill, as is customary, plays Sam Neill. However, Kerry Fox, a brilliant actress, shines. The production design and costumes are nicely and accurately created. In sum, Blakemore does not attempt to go beyond the perimeter of the original masterwork by Chekhov who, after all, is the originator of the "slice of life" genre.
