I really enjoy programming from other countries, particularly the U.K. In recent years, however, many of their series and one-off films have presented material that is so dark it makes you feel like you have a layer of dirt on you for about a week before it wears off.
CAPITAL is a lovely exception. It presents a typical street in London that could really be located anywhere in that there is a cross section of cultures and lifestyles and ages that makes it clear the filmmakers are trying to create a story with a universal theme.
Toby Jones appears once again in a quality production--he is clearly a highly sought-after actor. While he can be bland at times, in CAPITAL he hits all the right notes playing a greedy banker whose life and values are challenged when things go awry in his job. This is one of several sub-plots that serve to show the variety of characters who share one extraordinary, upsetting event in common: they all receive in the mail a postcard saying WE WANT WHAT YOU HAVE. This leads to fear, paranoia, resilience and surprise as the different types find a way to deal with what eventually becomes a disturbing and persistent feature in their lives.
Rachel Stirling as Jones' wife (they appeared together--though were not paired together--in the recent series DETECTORISTS) is so materialistic you can almost see the dollar signs in her eyes. Well, pound signs, as this is set in England. She's outstanding.
Many of the other roles are superbly played, especially the great Indian actress Shana Azmi as a domineering Pakistani matriarch perfectionist. She's brilliant. She's matched by the always wonderful Gemma Jones as an elderly resident on the street whose interactions with her strong-willed daughter (Lesley Sharp) and compassionate grandson (Robert Emms) are an important part of the story-line.
SPOILER While the incidents of the subplots as well as the main dramatic thread (the receipt of the postcards) are compelling, it is the strength of the individual characters that really drives CAPITAL.
I enjoyed it thoroughly and highly recommend it.
CAPITAL is a lovely exception. It presents a typical street in London that could really be located anywhere in that there is a cross section of cultures and lifestyles and ages that makes it clear the filmmakers are trying to create a story with a universal theme.
Toby Jones appears once again in a quality production--he is clearly a highly sought-after actor. While he can be bland at times, in CAPITAL he hits all the right notes playing a greedy banker whose life and values are challenged when things go awry in his job. This is one of several sub-plots that serve to show the variety of characters who share one extraordinary, upsetting event in common: they all receive in the mail a postcard saying WE WANT WHAT YOU HAVE. This leads to fear, paranoia, resilience and surprise as the different types find a way to deal with what eventually becomes a disturbing and persistent feature in their lives.
Rachel Stirling as Jones' wife (they appeared together--though were not paired together--in the recent series DETECTORISTS) is so materialistic you can almost see the dollar signs in her eyes. Well, pound signs, as this is set in England. She's outstanding.
Many of the other roles are superbly played, especially the great Indian actress Shana Azmi as a domineering Pakistani matriarch perfectionist. She's brilliant. She's matched by the always wonderful Gemma Jones as an elderly resident on the street whose interactions with her strong-willed daughter (Lesley Sharp) and compassionate grandson (Robert Emms) are an important part of the story-line.
SPOILER While the incidents of the subplots as well as the main dramatic thread (the receipt of the postcards) are compelling, it is the strength of the individual characters that really drives CAPITAL.
I enjoyed it thoroughly and highly recommend it.