The film unfolds in a Britain sharply divided by social standing, where the main character—a man hoping to be a stone mason (played by Christopher Eccleston)—is married to Arabella (Rachel Griffiths) but longs for a chance to go to university and leave behind his demanding work. A possible path opens when she departs, leading him to visit relatives, including Sue (Kate Winslet). She's portrayed as someone rebellious,…

The reaction to Thomas Hardy’s novel “Jude the Obscure” was so negative that he never wrote another one afterward. This film adaptation has also generated controversy, though it’s certainly worth seeing. Christopher Eccleston takes on the lead role as Jude, a stonemason with aspirations for education and a better existence. Eccleston's performance is commendable because he doesn’t conform to typical Hollywood looks; …