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its deep, compelling performances, this film is not to be approached lightly. It requires one to look beyond the superficial and to study the depth of DDL, Krieps, and Manville's characters. If you aren't prepared to do so then you could easily dismiss this one as shallow and pointless. (This film makes Woody Allen's best a mere cork bobbing on the ocean.)
The house of Woodcock came about after WW2 when DDL (Reynolds) and Manville (sister Cyril) rose up to become a top fashion house in England. DDL was the deeply absorbed, narcissist that was the creative force while Manville was the seemingly coldhearted overseer of the details and minutiae. They lived together and operated almost as one. DDL had the passion and temper while Manville had the ice cold reserve and strength.
While Cyril was getting rid of Reynold's latest live-in fling, Reynolds went off to the "country" and met a very disarming and attractive woman working in a cafe. His attraction to her was immediate and his slow tango of seduction begins as they act out one of the more "elevated" forms of budding romances I've seen.
Much friction develops as Alma moves into the House of Woodcock. She has trouble adapting to Cyril's demands for calm and quiet and the incessant put-downs of Cyril. The back and forth of the relationship is epic set against the beauty of the London house and the English countryside. The script is so measured and perfect in matching the depth DDL can create.
Quite by accident, Alma discovers a way to stop Reynolds uppity tirades and make him a manageable boy--at least for a while. She discovered this by almost killing him with mushrooms. Now our happy couple has moved to an entirely different plain far from the ordinary.
If this id DDL's last performance it was a powerful one. It seems no one can touch his depth and conviction of character. Manville came close and Krieps a somewhat distant third. Still, all three were far above the maddening crowd of our common thespians.
The beauty, the script, the performances are truly compelling. Be ready to surrender to the film from the first frame forward.
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