Yes, A FIELD IN ENGLAND truly is that bad. It's a massive disappointment and pity, because Ben Wheatley's previous films as director (DOWN TERRACE and KILL LIST) have showed real promise, hinting at greatness to come. But this is a step back. It's not that the direction is particularly poor, it's just that Wheatley's script with Amy Jump is so drivelling and has absolutely nothing to say.
That's what this film offers - nothing. Characters are barely realised and interchangeable, humour is forced and unfunny, and the scenario doesn't ring true. I like English Civil War-era history, but this isn't that; it could be set in any period, it's just an excuse for dressing up. I get the impression that Wheatley watched VALHALLA RISING and thought 'Ah! I want to make a film like that!' with this as the ungodly result.
The problem is that VALHALLA RISING was a great little movie, with a strong narrative to sustain the artier scenes, and it also had something to say. A FIELD IN ENGLAND has nothing to say - we've learnt absolutely nothing about anything by the time it finishes. I think the most off-putting part of it was, to me, the various interludes where the characters pause, their hair blowing in the wind, mid action. It's like some game of 'What's the time, Mr Wolf?' gone horrifically wrong.
I looked for meaning here; I looked for insight. I wanted it, I wanted to be proved wrong after my initial gut feeling. But the truth is it isn't there. A FIELD IN ENGLAND is just an obscure mess that wastes the talents of everybody involved. If you want to include arty, abstract stuff in a film, then build it into a straightforward narrative that will give viewers something to hook onto. Forget that, and forget your film being watchable in any respect.
That's what this film offers - nothing. Characters are barely realised and interchangeable, humour is forced and unfunny, and the scenario doesn't ring true. I like English Civil War-era history, but this isn't that; it could be set in any period, it's just an excuse for dressing up. I get the impression that Wheatley watched VALHALLA RISING and thought 'Ah! I want to make a film like that!' with this as the ungodly result.
The problem is that VALHALLA RISING was a great little movie, with a strong narrative to sustain the artier scenes, and it also had something to say. A FIELD IN ENGLAND has nothing to say - we've learnt absolutely nothing about anything by the time it finishes. I think the most off-putting part of it was, to me, the various interludes where the characters pause, their hair blowing in the wind, mid action. It's like some game of 'What's the time, Mr Wolf?' gone horrifically wrong.
I looked for meaning here; I looked for insight. I wanted it, I wanted to be proved wrong after my initial gut feeling. But the truth is it isn't there. A FIELD IN ENGLAND is just an obscure mess that wastes the talents of everybody involved. If you want to include arty, abstract stuff in a film, then build it into a straightforward narrative that will give viewers something to hook onto. Forget that, and forget your film being watchable in any respect.