What a beautiful little movie!
In case anybody is reading this and has not seen the movie, I won't give anything away. But I must say that this movie is just about perfectly done. Despite the theme of love, I would not call it a "chick flick", in that it does not strive to be emotional beyond the necessity of its subject. Additionally it's told from the perspective of a man (Mr. Ashton).
The production of the movie (e.g. scenery, acting, filming) are perfectly done without a hint of self-consciousness. Really, the story is what is important, and it's so beautiful and engrossing, that I felt I was experiencing it along with the characters. It brought me right there to that turn of the century little English farming village. Such an innocent and unassuming time that will never come back to us. The images of summer and summer love are so beautifully done, the two main characters are so young and empathetic, that one cannot help but want so much for them to be happy!
This love is between two people of very different backgrounds. At once, there is the clash of two different societies. One upper class and educated, the other lower class and simple. Throughout the story, there are the pressures by well-meaning friends on both sides to keep the two apart for their own good. None are villains as such; they only want what they feel is best. But the pressures are palpable and entirely realistic. Who is wrong or right?
Underlying the love story are fundamental questions. What do we owe to ourselves? What do we owe other people to whom we are important? Do we have the courage and will to act for what is right?
illegitimus!