Saltburn (2023) written, directed, and co-produced by Emerald Fennell.

Saltburn wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Upstairs Downstairs, Brideshead Revisited, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Murder on the Dance Floor can go and take a good fuck to themselves as far as I’m concerned. What did you think?  

Notes.

It’s a bit of a mishmash. Plot (2008 Film) for example follows Charles Ryder's relationship with the Flyte family, particularly his close friendship with the charismatic but troubled Sebastian Flyte, and the impact of their lives at the grand estate of Brideshead.

While both Brideshead Revisited and Sense and Sensibility are set in England and explore relationships, they differ in their time periods, themes, and narrative styles. Brideshead Revisited is best known for its exploration of faith and the decline of the aristocracy. Explores the dysfunctional Flyte family.

 "Sense and Sensibility" focuses on societal expectations and romantic entanglements in the late 18th to early 19th centuries.

Films Based on the Books:

1. Brideshead Revisited (2008):
   • Directed by Julian Jarrold.
2. Sense and Sensibility (1995):
   • Directed by Ang Lee.

"Kind Hearts and Coronets" is a satirical comedy that stands out for its interrogation of social class, inheritance, and the pursuit of wealth and status. The protagonist, Louis Mazzini, played by Dennis Price, seeks revenge on the aristocratic D'Ascoyne family, who disinherited his mother. Through a series of supposedly humorous events, Louis methodically eliminates the family members standing between him and the title of Duke. Ironically, "Kind Hearts and Coronets" was backed by public (taxpayer) money to make British films and stem the flow of American films into most British cinemas. Here is Oliver Quick's denouement. Murder on the Dance floor. 

Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan):

•  Oliver Quick serves as the lens through which we view the unfolding events. His character embodies the complexities of youth, ambition, the desire for self-discovery and social status.

2. Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi):
   • Felix Catton, a central figure in the Catton family, carries the weight of expectations and familial obligations. His character is a prism reflecting the societal norms and challenges of rich-son syndrome.
   • Baptism: Oliver Quick sucking down the dregs of Felix Catton’s bathwater.
3. Lady Elspeth Catton (Rosamund Pike):
   • Lady Elspeth Catton, Felix's mother, is a figure of sophistication and societal influence. Her character embodies the expectations placed upon women in the upper echelons of society. Pretty is as pretty does.
4. Sir James Catton (Richard E. Grant):
   • Sir James Catton, the patriarch of the Catton family, carries the weight of tradition and legacy. His character reflects the challenges of upholding societal norms while grappling with personal convictions that children should turn up for meals.
   • Film: Richard E. Grant's portrayal of Sir James adds a layer of complexity to the character, capturing the internal conflicts and external pressures faced by the family patriarch.
   • Irony on display. "Withnail (Richard E.Grant) and I" the unnamed narrator (played by Paul McGann), often referred to as "I." explores the complex dynamics of the relationship between Withnail and "I," as they attempt to escape their dreary existence by taking a holiday in the countryside. The film captures the essence of the end of an era—the 1960s—and the characters' futile attempts to find purpose and meaning in a world that seems to be leaving them behind.
5. Venetia Catton (Alison Oliver):
   • Venetia Catton, Felix's sister, plays a crucial role in the family dynamic. Her character embodies societal expectations placed on women and the constraints they face.
   • Film: Alison Oliver's portrayal of Venetia adds visual depth to the character, showcasing the challenges and aspirations of a woman navigating the complexities of sexual promiscuity, anorexia and bulimia with a sprinkling of low self-esteem.

In the realms of "Barry Quick" and "Brideshead Revisited," two distinct narratives unfold, each populated with a cast of characters that navigate the intricacies of societal expectations, familial obligations, and the pursuit of individual identity.

Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) vs. Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode):

• Oliver Quick (Barry Quick): Oliver serves as the narrator and central figure, embodying the complexities of youth and self-discovery.
• Charles Ryder (Brideshead Revisited): Charles is the protagonist who, like Oliver, undergoes a transformative journey shaped by his relationships with the aristocratic Flyte family.

2. Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi) vs. Sebastian Flyte (Ben Whishaw):
   • Felix Catton (Barry Quick): Felix grapples with societal expectations and familial obligations, mirroring the challenges faced by Sebastian Flyte.
   • Sebastian Flyte (Brideshead Revisited): Sebastian, like Felix, is a central figure navigating the expectations of his aristocratic family and societal norms.
3. Lady Elspeth Catton (Rosamund Pike) vs. Lady Marchmain (Emma Thompson):
   • Lady Elspeth Catton (Barry Quick): Lady Elspeth embodies sophistication and societal influence, reflecting the role of Lady Marchmain in "Brideshead Revisited."
   • Lady Marchmain (Brideshead Revisited): Lady Marchmain is a matriarchal figure whose influence shapes the lives of her children and the overall family dynamic.
4. Sir James Catton (Richard E. Grant) vs. Lord Marchmain (Michael Gambon):
   • Sir James Catton (Barry Quick): Sir James carries the weight of tradition and legacy, akin to Lord Marchmain in "Brideshead Revisited."
   • Lord Marchmain (Brideshead Revisited): Lord Marchmain grapples with the expectations of his noble lineage and the impact on his family.
5. Venetia Catton (Alison Oliver) vs. Julia Flyte (Hayley Atwell):
   • Venetia Catton : Venetia faces societal expectations, paralleling Julia Flyte's exploration of love and societal norms.
   • Julia Flyte (Brideshead Revisited): Julia experiences the complexities of love and the clash between personal desires and societal expectations.

Contrast and Reflection: While "Barry Quick" and "Brideshead Revisited" are distinct narratives set in different eras, both explore the complexities of societal expectations, familial relationships, and the quest for personal identity. Oliver Quick and Charles Ryder share the role of the narrator-protagonist, each navigating a transformative journey. The families—Catton and Flyte—mirror each other in their aristocratic settings, dealing with generational expectations and the clash between tradition and individual desires.

In essence, the contrasting characters provide a nuanced exploration of universal themes, showcasing how individuals navigate the landscapes of their respective societies and families. Whether in the opulent halls of Brideshead or the intricate tapestry of the Catton family, these characters serve as mirrors reflecting the timeless struggles of the human experience.

"Barry Quick": Setting and Time Period: Set against the backdrop of an opulent English estate, "Barry Quick" unfolds in the early 20th century, navigating the complexities of societal norms and familial dynamics.

Themes and Plot: Narrated by Barry Keoghan's Oliver Quick, the story mirrors the challenges of youth and self-discovery. As Oliver contends with societal expectations and familial obligations, the narrative explores his pursuit of individual identity amidst the constraints of his time.

Main Characters and Goals:

• Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan): Hopes to navigate the complexities of societal expectations and discover his authentic self, if there is such a thing.
• Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi): Strives to reconcile familial obligations with personal aspirations, echoing societal conflicts.
• Lady Elspeth Catton (Rosamund Pike): Represents sophistication and societal influence, influencing family dynamics.
• Sir James Catton (Richard E. Grant): Carries the weight of tradition and legacy, grappling with generational expectations.
• Venetia Catton (Alison Oliver): Negotiates societal expectations, reflecting the clash between tradition and individual desires.

Achievements and Obstacles: The characters in "Barry Quick" traverse a landscape of societal expectations and familial obligations. Oliver's journey serves as an exploration of self-discovery, with each character facing obstacles that either thwart or shape their individual quests.

"Brideshead Revisited": Setting and Time Period: Set in the aristocratic splendour of Brideshead Castle, "Brideshead Revisited" unfolds in the early to mid-20th century, navigating the intricate tapestry of societal expectations and familial legacies.

Themes and Plot: Narrated by Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode), the plot intertwines themes of faith, friendship, and the decline of the aristocracy. Charles's journey with the Flyte family becomes a canvas for exploring the complexities of love, societal norms, and personal desires.

Main Characters and Goals:

• Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode): Hopes to reconcile personal desires with societal expectations, offering a lens into the aristocratic world.
• Sebastian Flyte (Ben Whishaw): Embodies the clash between personal desires and familial obligations, exploring the themes of faith and friendship.
• Lady Marchmain (Emma Thompson): Personifies the influence of tradition and societal norms on family dynamics.
• Lord Marchmain (Michael Gambon): Grapples with the expectations of nobility and the impact on family.
• Julia Flyte (Hayley Atwell): Navigates the complexities of love and societal expectations.

Achievements and Obstacles: The characters in "Brideshead Revisited" confront the decline of the aristocracy and the clash between tradition and personal desires. Charles's journey serves as a poignant exploration of love and faith, with obstacles shaping the destinies of the Flyte family.

Contrast and Reflection: Both narratives provide readers and viewers with an exploration and implicit explanation of societal expectations, familial legacies, and the quest for identity. Oliver Quick's journey becomes a mirror reflecting the struggles of the early 21st century, while "Brideshead Revisited" navigates the complexities of aristocratic life in the mid-20th century. These stories serve as apologist reflections on the human experience, offering readers and viewers characters that are more them than us.