I Capture the Castle (2003)
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80% of critics liked it
(82 reviews) -
73% of users liked it
(7,373 ratings)
Based on the novel by Dodie Smith (101 Dalmatians), director Tim Fywell's comic romance follows 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain (Romola Garai) and her quirky family as they attempt to make the best of their meager existence in a crumbling English castle. While her father (Bill Nighy) has been… More Based on the novel by Dodie Smith (101 Dalmatians), director Tim Fywell's comic romance follows 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain (Romola Garai) and her quirky family as they attempt to make the best of their meager existence in a crumbling English castle. While her father (Bill Nighy) has been struggling for over a decade to repeat the success of his debut novel, her beautiful sister Rose (Rose Byrne) frequently voices her displeasure with their current situation, and nudist stepmother Topaz (Tara Fitzgerald) proves little help at much of anything. The arrival of American landlord Simon Cotton (Henry Thomas) and his brother Neil (Marc Blucas) provides a glimmer of hope as the initially repelled Rose soon takes a liking to Simon and the two arrange to marry. Lost in the chaotic shuffle of marriage plans and increasingly complicated relationships, the hapless Cassandra soon begins to blossom into womanhood as she experiences aspects of life that were heretofore unknown to her. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Directed By
- Tim Fywell
- Written By
- Amy Jenkins, Heidi Thomas
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Jul 11, 2003 Limited
- Studio
- Samuel Goldwyn Films
Critic Reviews
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Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
It has just enough charm to be watchable.
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Connie Ogle, Miami Herald
The filmmakers can't seem to unearth the novel's inherent lightheartedness and instead treat too many events with earnest seriousness, trampling the original story's lively spirit in heavy-handed drama.
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Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle
With eloquent dialogue but scant smoldering passions, the mushy machinations nicely nudge director Tim Fywell's gentle little film.
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Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
Dollops on the usual romantic, family and class conflicts with a very heavy ladle, which pretty much smothers the whimsical mood Fywell strains so hard to attain.
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Gary Dowell, Dallas Morning News
A refreshingly mature look at first love and life's often-rough transitions.
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Cast
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Romola Garai
as Cassandra Mortmain
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Rose Byrne
as Rose Mortmain
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Henry Thomas
as Simon Cotton
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Marc Blucas
as Neil Cotton
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Bill Nighy
as James Mortmain
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Tara Fitzgerald
as Topaz Mortmain
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Sinead Cusack
as Mrs. Cotton
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Henry Cavill
as Stephen Colley
- James Faulkner
