MovieChat Forums > Tamara Drewe (2010) Discussion > Misrepresented?

Misrepresented?

posted 14 years ago by ste100
8 replies | jump to latest

I went to see this film last night and was quite dissapointed with it actually.

From the advertisement and review comments, I was expecting to see something light-hearted and 'feel-good' - akin to Bridget Jones in a countryside setting.

I found myself asking who is Tamara Drewe, and more to the point why should we care about this woman who is a bitch and a slapper?

She didn't even make her appearance until a good few mintutes into the film. Nicolas' wife (can't remember her name) seemed to be the more central character as you were sympathetic towards her, and she had more of a 'journey.'

I won't post spoilers, but it was quite depressing and I just don't know where they got off in calling it a British rom-com. There is nothing romantic about this movie, besides perhaps the setting.

[–] emlcoburn 14 years ago

Its definitely more of a 'dark' comedy as opposed to Bridget Jones-rom-com, and whilst the central focus wasn't exactly on TD, I saw her presence in the village being the starting point for the story's events. And yes, she was a bitch and a slapper, and certainly not a 'heroine', and that's how you're meant to see her. Posy Simmonds book 'Gemma Bovery' has a somewhat similar character; someone who (on the surface) knows what she wants and gets what she wants, but is mostly screwed up, deep down inside.

Its not exactly a Rom-Com, but more of a poke at middle-class village life.

[–] dogstarman1 14 years ago

DAT ASSS

[–] jesscat88 14 years ago

@OP: Who told you it was a rom-com? The trailer marketed it as a comedy, yes, but not the fluffy romantic kind.

I don't know - I'd heard of the graphic novel and had a couple of quick flick throughs while loitering in bookshops, so I knew the source material was pretty dark and cynical. Perhaps the trailer did fail to present it properly.

[–] ste100 14 years ago

Honestly, I don't recall... but I think it was snippet from a review on a poster for the movie or something...

I dont think im the only person who saw this too because I read a critics review the other day that said something along the lines of 'calling it a rom-com is severely stretching the definition' - so I guess it's out there somewhere.

I think the trailer was also edited in a way that made it appear to be more light hearted than it actually was.

I still found it interesting to watch... it's just that I went into the theatre expecting to be uplifted, and instead got a man trampled to death by cows... and a feast of casual sex and adultery.

I wanted warm and fuzzy and just got cold.

[–] By-TorX-1 14 years ago

All of the marketing that I have seen is pitching this as a 'Four Weddings' rural/urban culture clash romp.

"Rap's Rambo! One man army had it with your mumbo jumbo. Switching roles now I'm Columbo".

[–] ohdontpanic42 14 years ago

Well knowing it was based on a graphic novel inspired by Thomas Hardy may have given you an inkling that it would be: complicated love affairs, a cynical view on marriage and the English countryside.

On a more serious note, I thought the film had a lot of very good potential but I could never quite figure out the tone. There were moments in the climax of the whole thing where I wasn't sure if I wanted to laugh or to cry. That's what I liked about it. I think it needs a second viewing, definitely. I think Tamara's character is more complex than we were allowed to see - personally I would have liked to have heard some extracts from her book where she "lays [her]self bare". I could see a lot of the turns coming, but it didn't take away the enjoyability.

I understand what you mean about Beth's journey and it seemed like she was the central character. I certainly liked her most out of all of them, however, the point of it was that all their lives were interwoven. For example, Jody's actions cause a ripple effect amongst the town, so really no one was a central figure, it just seemed like circumstance was binding them together. It is only Tamara's return to the village that acts as a catalyst for the mayhem to begin. She disturbs the peace.

No, nothing romantic about this film. I'd say its a dark comedy or satire, and very British in its humour.

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