by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
When poetry can be translated onto the silver screen it is something special, isn’t it? Seeing poetry in motion and coming to life is a unique way that a filmmaker can leverage the filmmaking process. This becomes even more impactful when this poetry is deeply rooted in the narrative of the film. Specifically, when a film is about a poet. This is the case with Terence Davies’ latest British drama, Benediction. This tells the true tale of a World War I poet who struggles with his perception of the world when the world will not accept him for who he is. A great addition for Pride month cinema, this tragic and somber tale of Siegfried Sassoon comes to life in a theater near you.
How does Davies leverage his subject matter to expand upon his storytelling? One of the most unique and striking aspects of this film is the way the Sassoon’s poetry is incorporated. We get voiceovers from our lead actor reading the poems, then Davies does his best to convey the message on screen. Two moments stand out the most. One, we see a repeating flow of Sassoon’s loves. There is joy and emotion as Siegfried is portrayed with his fellow young men who he once had flings with, but his older version with his wife gives off a much colder and sad perspective as Sassoon lives his lie. The other standout moment is a stark reality of war brought to life on screen. An older Sassoon (Peter Capaldi) sits lethargic and sad in a chair as the background fades into real WWI footage, which is harrowing to watch. Their scenes are moving and poignant, which capture the overall dramatic yet poetic tone that Davies creates.
How does Benediction portray Sassoon’s story overall? At almost two-and-a-half hours in length, this film does present a methodical approach that might alienate some. There is a sharp cleverness with the writing that brings energy to each scene to keep it moving. The film is surprisingly funny at times, especially because our dear Siegfried is clever with words and knows how to use them pointedly. The film presents a few important periods of Sassoon’s life. His time as a patient during the war for his so-called “illness” is probably the most impactful and significant. This aspect of the story brings in (unfortunately) timely elements, as homophobia still runs rampant today and we still have people who perceive this as an illness to “cure”. We also experience an older version of this poet who has lived a lie for most of his life — he’s even taken a wife. This somber sadness in this part of the film is poignant and captures the fate of many people who were compelled to compromise themselves for life with less adversity. Even someone as talented as Sassoon felt compelled to bend to societal pressures, and Benediction captures that pressure and hate so well.
But what about the actors who bring this story to life? Jack Lowden does an impressive job as a young Sassoon. This is a version of this man with life to live, hope to relish in, and the love of other men to bask in. His chemistry with some of his fellow young male cast members is off the chart, and you can feel his capacity to love and lust. Lowden does a great job of capturing the intellectual aspects of his character as well as he presents his poetry. There is also a distinctly British appeal to Lowden, as he offers up subtle and sharp barbs while keeping a straight face. Then he ages into Capaldi (of all actors). At first, I thought this was an odd choice for an older version of Lowden. But as you see Capaldi captures this sadness in the older Sassoon, you know right away he was the perfect choice. He even gets to flex some of his explosive rage and teardowns as only Capaldi can.
Does Benediction stand out in the crowded field of British period dramas? The film might be a tad overlong and a bit slow, but Davies packs plenty into this robust drama. The actors that fill out this ensemble are unmatched. The themes are deeply emotional and resonant today. The storytelling is bold and elevates the art form. This is quite the effort that is worth your time.
Score: 9/10
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