Better than Brideshead!

Picture courtesy of Netflix

Do you like Brideshead Revisited? Do you wish it had a happier ending? Wish the women in it were likeable? Then Coming Home is for you.

I found it the other night on Netflix, and it was fantastic! (Its on instant view so you can watch it right now!)

Its a story of a young woman, Judith, in the 1930's England whose parents are British merchants in Singapore so she is sent to boarding school in England. Judith makes friends with a girl, Loveday, whose parents have a wonderful manor house and Judith gets invited there to stay and eventually becomes a part of the family.

This movie is similar to Brideshead Revisted, Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs, The Kings Speech and Any Human Heart. (Unlike the popular movement in 1930's period pieces though it only makes fun of Mrs. Simpson and doesn't actually have her in the movie, why is Wallace Simpson EVERYWHERE I LOOK these days, Gwyneth Paltrow was her in Glee the other night. I feel like I'm getting off topic...)

The actors are excellent. Peter O'Toole is wonderful as a gregarious, hilarious elderly English Lord. Keira Knightly plays a young version of the main character and she is excellent, awkward youth dealing with losing family, lecherous old men, but also finding friendship and herself.

The woman who played Alec Baldwins brief love interest Bird Bones on 30 Rock is the main character as she grows older and she is perfection. She is selfish but completely kind, girlish but resilient, a character you can relate to, even in her worst moments.
Is it a bit of a chick flick? Maybe. Would I make Tallman watch it, probably not, also its like 3 hours long. But was it perfect for a rainy afternoon with a cup of tea. Yes. Will I watch it again and again and again? Definitely.
If you have netflix instant view, I suggest you check it out. Now. If you like early 20th century British dramas, I suggest you check it out. If you generally like the things I've been recommending, I suggest you check it out.