This is a movie (here's its trailer: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/12568-brideshead-revisited#play=cwUA82BGUdk) that's gloriously set and beautifully filmed, and that overall has a lot going for it (including wonderful score), and that I do like, but that, regrettably, falls quite a bit short of the mark that seems like it could and should have reached. I think it's due to certain specific "off" castings and performances that the film's effectiveness and successfulness particularly suffer.

For me, Emma Thompson, as Lady Marchmain, is a major no-go, who I don't care for anything about either how the character comes across nor Miss Thompson's performance (which I find lifeless and too severe; not to mention her spin on a traditional devout cradle-Catholic's mindset in the depicted generation doesn't "get" it). Judging from things I've read, many viewers share my opinion - while others (inexplicably, in my opinion) think her performance inspired. On the other hand, I've always been an enthusiast of Claire Bloom's performance and richly nuanced version of the Lady Marchmain character in the outstanding 1981 t.v. miniseries.

In this movie, I'm not crazy about Ben Whishaw's casting, and his version of Sebastian, though at the same time I don't mind him. Whishaw's Sebastian, while well acted, lacks charisma and appeal that feel necessary for the character to "work". Anthony Andrews' version of Sebastian in the t.v. miniseries, meanwhile, is a character who it is easy to see how everyone is drawn to, and why others consider him - and being in his company or orbit - irresistible, while Whishaw's Sebastian simply seems like a scrawny child-man with really only wealth and a moderate bit of eccentric flair going for him to cause him to stand out any to anyone.

This film's Anthony Blanche is a complete dud. This Rex Mottram isn't much better. And Patrick Malahide's version of Charles' father is flat and unconvincing (unlike the miniseries' masterful, and highly entertaining, depiction of the character by the great John Gielgud). Those three characterizations, and Emma Thompson's Lady Marchmain, in this production, significantly detract from the overall effect and result, for me.

Of the primary cast, who I think is excellent in their role is Matthew Goode as Charles. Hayley Atwell, as Julia, also is very good. I "buy" both of them.

I rate this movie 7 out of 10, as it's got some very good components, that keep me interested and overall liking it, and even at times feeling impressed. Had some of the casting and performances been different and better, and the writing more effective, this easily could have been a solid 8 (even, perhaps, 8.5).

Incidentally, following is a TMDb thread I've created about the 1981 miniseries:

https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/4951-brideshead-revisited/discuss/5d602f419d6e330018b2ba21?language=en-US

Please check out the following list of titles and celebrities I've created TMDb threads for: https://www.themoviedb.org/list/118052