Some films have achieved cult status. Labyrinth is one of them. But there's been many other films that are really good, but they've remained under the radar and overlooked. I Capture the Castle is one of them. Labyrinth fans would adore this film. It was captivating from the opening scene, when the protagonist was dreamily journaling in the sink of her quirky family's castle. Everything in the film was sweet, dreamy, imaginative, and delightful. It was based on an equally- delightful and imaginative vintage novel by Dodie Smith. "I write this sitting in the kitchen sink." - that's how the novel began. More appealing quirkiness I can't imagine.Anglophiles, rejoice. You'll find bliss in the movie and the book. Escape, and imagine, and watch or read away. A Secret Garden fans would love this, too. If you like girly, British-y romances, with pretty, earnest, artsy characters, and families that are off-the-beaten-path, and decaying castles in the English countryside - then you'll love this movie.

After reading the novel, I am usually disappointed by the screenplay, but not in this case.The story is preserved and is magical in this film. Romola Garai is brilliant as the young Cassandra, but all of the characters are strongly played.The soundtrack is fitting, and the settings work well. The characters traits develop smoothly and interact believably. This, to me is proof that with a great storyteller/writer, cast and director, time and care; something true to itself can be produced.I just wish there were more films made to this standard.

I was quite pleased for much of the movie. Some of the acting (especially the Cotton brothers) was weak, but most of the castle family was good. Things were going very well and then the screenwriter made that most fatal error of judgement: presuming they can write it better than the author. I think good novel adaptation requires great self-discipline (even self-abnegation) and self-expression is very hard to suppress. This screenwriter should have been suppressed by a thick layer of quick-drying cement. Even the book brushes the limits of what's bearable near the end, but it maintains its charm and is a fine novel. The screenplay overwrites much of the humour and charm with heavy-handed dramatic scenes, unleashing an orgy of tearful, confessional encounters. Worst of all, it betrays the novel deeply by buying into the very psycho-babble that the author delightfully mocks. Terribly disappointing after a decent start. I give it a tolerable rating because, viewed as a romantic comedy independent of the book, it compares fairly well with others in the genre. It still has some good scenes and Cassandra is, for the most part, very well played. The setting is also quite good and much as I had imagined it.

Stephen is indeed a beautiful guy. The casting director did a good job to find all those people. I have not read the novel, however, i think that this movie is well done.There is one thing that I did not think that it is possible. It is when the little boy starts to talking how the young girl who is about to get married does not talk about her future husband all the time at all. And it also did make sense, why did the girl wrote him a list of things that she is getting. And what little boy knows anything about adult life.the movie is well shot, the color was right and romantic. I especially when the girl walked in the forest with Stephen, it seems to be a place that has never been touched by human steps. it might be more beautiful if it was shot during a froggy day.The ending was not too surprising. it is a little formulated, not unexpected. Love will always be the forever topic in films.