How could such a sprawling novel like Hardy's become a two-hour movie? It was a mammoth task and the result is only partly successful.That's why the beginning of the movie seems botched.Actually everything happens when Kate Winslet's character appears.The main flaw lies in the fact that Jude's main ideal was to become an intellectual,Christminster remained his horizon till the very end.In the movie,the second part of the movie focuses on the Sue-Jude relationship.After the doyen's letter,his cultural ambitions take a back seat and it's Sue who provides the main interest:a woman ahead of her time,despising marriage, this leading to her downfall.Then again,the film recreates the fatality (recalling sometimes French writer Zola )hanging on Jude and Sue only occasionally (Drusilla warning the hero).Arabella's character,though vital in the novel,is sometimes reduced to a walk on,the same goes for Aunt Drusilla. Assets: a very good music score,fine performances with K.Winslet the stand-out,beautiful photo and nice film sets.
Review of Jude
