Joey Guerra
Entertainment Editor
Review
Mrs. Dalloway is, in every aspect of filmmaking, a breath of fresh, bittersweet air.
From the interior monologues of the title character, played exquisitely by Vanessa Redgrave, to the perfectly segued flashbacks that propel much of the story, Eileen Atkins' adaptation of the Virginia Woolf novel is utterly enjoyable. Coupled with the effortless, practically invisible direction from Marleen Gorris, Mrs. Dalloway is as near perfection as any film that's hit theaters so far this year.
On a beautiful day in the summer of 1923, Clarissa Dalloway sets out making preparations for her party later that night. From the moment we see Clarissa, she is consumed with buying flowers, mending her dress, inspecting the silverware. Everything must be perfect.
For a long while, the only thing occupying Clarissa's life has been her exceptional role as hostess. As she wanders through the sunny English day, though, Clarissa's thoughts turn to her youth, when her glowing spirit and curiosity for life sparked her every move.
Flaming the fires of the past is Clarissa's close circle of friends, including stuffy gossip Hugh Whitebread (Oliver Ford Davies), whom she runs into while strolling through the park. Once thrust into her years before this content, if somewhat unsatisfying, life, Clarissa muses on those who helped shape her.
Sally (a glowing Lena Headey) and Peter (Alan Cox) were Clarissa's soul mates, and both, in their own ways, were deeply in love with her. Sally was her dear friend, her true confidante, while Peter pined for the beautiful young Clarissa (Natascha McElhone) to return his amorous affections.
The present day Clarissa is jolted into a melding of past and present by a surprise visit from an older, still charming Peter (Michael Kitchen, in a nuanced, likable performance). From the very moment they meet again, Clarissa and Peter find they still share an unbreakable bond. Flashing through former lives and present predicaments, Clarissa comes to a realization and affirmation about her own life.
Mrs. Dalloway is remarkable in its flip-side senses of happiness and despair, contentment and disappointment. The film muses on choices we make, changes that separate us from friends, and the courage it requires to live. Through it all, the bittersweet, wistful tone creates a unique mood.
Atkins' script follows a stream of consciousness at times, and choosing to end it with a long interior monologue from Clarissa was a brilliant move.
The performances are all smashing, with Redgrave displaying a radiant mix of wonder, reluctance and, ultimately, resolution. As the young Clarissa, McElhone emanates a youthful, delicate spirit that reflects the eventual persona Clarissa envelops.
Mrs. Dalloway doesn't follow a regular pattern of filmmaking, but it doesn't stampede over the blueprint, either. It simply floats along, hovering around thoughts, events and characters and ending up deep within our hearts.