Mark Kermode reviews Harvest

I really enjoyed the film, it's a deliberate slowburner which allows for appreciation of the stunning visuals but I did become invested in the story once the cousin arrived. I haven't read the book but do we definitely know it's set in the past or could it be post-apocalyptic? Just an observation on the clothing choices.

Harsh on this film

First film I've gone to in a long, long time where I've seen people get up and leave, and I can't say I blamed them

Great looking but awful film

Sad to say, cultural bias seems to factor here and Kermode/Mayo's lack of emotional investment in the issue of The Highland Clearances and that period of ethnic cleansing has clearly contributed to their indifference. Which is a shame because typically both do try to appreciate the perspective of films addressing other such issues via other cultures.
As a Scot, I went in with strong apprehensions. But the depiction-of (and extremely humanising perspective-on) how simple villages were cleared, not by evil English landowner supervillains but by the cold financial incentive of sheep, is truly profound.

Yes. The film is flawed. Accents are ropey. Couple of scenes jump the shark. It was horribly misrepresented by the cynical trailer.
But overall, this is a noteworthy movie that time will probably be kind to.

And btw the fact I had to watch a movie in clear Scots-English IN SCOTLAND with f****ng subtitles was deeply insulting.

Maps always mean invasion, and taking...

Simon Mayo, as a Scot I can confirm that the accent (at least of the voice-over in the trailer) is both hopeless and VERY typical of any actor struggling and failing to master a generic Scottish accent.

I don't get why people don't like it. Everything that's incositent, everyone being usless, nothing beings satisfying is intentionall.

The book is amazing!

Your review has been rated as fresh on rotten tomatoes :D . Mind you I wouldn't go as far as saying aggregated score sites are unhelpful. If it says it's rotten then it's definitely rotten. If it says it's fresh then it's probably a salad with a fair number of squishy furry 3 out 5 reviews.

Strange choice for the filmmakers to have gone down the 'ambiguous/out of time setting' route, the book (which is fantastic) is about a very specific time and place - the era of the inclosure acts and the 'birth of capitalism' as Mark puts it

"Nothing to see here" - LOL. This may be a generational challenge. I'm no spring chicken. I loved Mad Men and felt they did a better job than most while attempting to sculpt the styles of the era covered. But still haven't gotten over Betty Draper's exasperated "Really?"

Buddy Holly wants his glasses back, Mark.

I think the concept is fascinating, especially in putting the common narrative of colonization in a unique perspective. I can imagine how it would be tiring and insufferable, but I’m honestly still intrigued.

I read the book about 5 or 6 years ago. Very atmospheric but I forget the detail. Felt like a novelistic version of The Village (M. Night Shyamalan) at the time I think. Won't bother with the film as Mark seems a little unimpressed.

loved the book….but often good books don’t translate into good films. However I might go and risk it

Mark and Simon, as always, amusing and constructive.

An insanely good movie, really loved it

I don't think this is a great film, but it does have some of the best cinematography I've seen all year. That's a pretty good reason to see it in the cinema! I noticed the passivity and closed-mindedness of the characters, but I wasn't really annoyed by it, because it felt truthful to me for the how peasants in a feudal system would think and behave. It also fits with the theme of the unstoppable rise of capitalism. It does make the film feel emotionally distant, but that also helps the dreamy atmosphere. I did feel it had all the hallmarks of an adaptation of a prestigious novel, in that the way the plot unfolded and the dialogue often felt like it would work well on the page, but not in a movie. It's sort of stage-y. Since I am not British (like the director!) I don't notice weird accents or modern language.

Regarding the inconsistencies, clothing, accents and possibly map making techiniques. Could it have been scifi?

Source material (which I haven't read) sounds very similar to The Testament of Yves Gundron by Emily Barton.

You're really not selling it to me guys..... "a lot to admire" and "emotionally annoyed.... by the wrong bobble hat" confirms that my drink on a stick will be consumed while watching summert else.

Mark looks like the old man from up.

"nothing to see here."

Coincidentally I just watched one of my favorite movies of all time for about the tenth time and I believe Mark is wearing a Knox oil t- shirt…

I skipped 30 seconds. Suck it Mayo.

Honestly. Still intrigued from the visual standpoint alone haha. Love the review as always!

Insufferable sounds like an apt description of this movie