When you take away the fine acting, gorgeous cinematography (Charlotte Bruus Christensen), sweeping score (Craig Armstrong) and all the earmarks of a sumptuous costume (Janet Patterson) drama, you basically have a love-triangle melodrama in "Far from the Madding Crowd."

That's not an altogether bad thing."Far from the Madding Crowd" is an entertaining, well-crafted and satisfying potboiler by Danish director Thomas Vinterberg ("The Hunt," 2012; "It's All About Love," 2003; "The Celebration," 1998).The latest version of "Far from the Madding Crowd" is based on the Thomas Hardy novel (1874) about life among the landed gentry in rural England, about 200 miles north of London, hence far from the frenzy of civilization.The characters in "Far from the Madding Crowd" are self-possessed, none more so than Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan).The rough-hewn, bearded Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), who is as strong as his name, loses his farm after his entire sheep herd is driven off a cliff by his dog.The mustachioed, fastidious swordsman Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge) is a cavalry sergeant whose betrothed, Fanny Robbin (Juno Temple), left him standing at the altar when she inexplicably went to the wrong church.The grimly dashing William Boldwood (Michael Sheen) is a wealthy estate owner who seems to stroll into scenes just when Everdene doesn't need more complications.All this would be laughable were it not for Vinterberg's careful direction, a nuanced screenplay that mutes the melodrama by David Nicholls (screenplay, "Great Expectations," 2012; novels-screenplays, "One Day," 2011; "Starter for 10," 2006) and especially Mulligan's Oscar nomination worthy performance.That said, Vinterberg's version is subsumed by director John Schlesinger's 1967 theatrical release starring Julie Christie, Alan Bates, Terence Stamp and Peter Finch. (There's also a 1998 British TV version and a 1915 silent film version.)While Mulligan more than holds her own, the males in Vinterberg's version pale in comparison to their counterparts in Schlesinger's.Casting lesser-known males (with the possible exception of Sheen) may have been intentional to shift the balance even more so to Everdene, making the role stronger, more passionate and more self-involved, giving Mulligan more screen time, more close-ups and thus more depth, making the role even more central.Mulligan (Actress Oscar nominee, "An Education," 2010) doesn't disappoint. She has a face of infinite sadness.Her expressions can change infinitesimally. Emotions wash over her dignified, eager and empathetic face like sunlight over landscape on a partly cloudy day. She is a joy to behold. "It is my intention to astonish you all," says Everdene. That Mulligan does."Far from the Madding Crowd" is consummate filmmaking. It's an epic romance in the tradition of "Gone with the Wind" (1939), "Giant" (1956) and "Dr. Zhivago" (1965).Get swept up in it. And buy some popcorn or chocolate to enjoy it with. Oh, and bring some tissues. Guaranteed, you will shed a tear."Far from the Madding Crowd," MPAA Rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13) for some sexuality and violence; Genre: Drama; Run Time: 1 hr., 59 mins.; Distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures.Credit Readers Anonymous: Carey Mulligan sings "Let No Man Steal Your Thyme" in "Far from the Madding Crowd." Filming locations were Dorset, Buckinghamshire, Oxforshire, and Somerset, England, United Kingdom.Box Office, May 29: The fault is not in the stars, but in "San Andreas" with its star, Freedom High School graduate Dwayne Johnson, proving The Rock can push to the top alone, opening at No. 1 with $53.2 million, one week, with "Pitch Perfect 2" continuing at No. 2, with $14.3 million, $147.5 million, three weeks, and "Tomorrowland" dropping from No. 1 to No. 3, with $13.8 million, $63.1 million, two weeks;4. "Mad Max: Fury Road," $13.6 million, $115.9 million, three weeks; 5. "Avengers: Age of Ultron," $10.9 million, $427 million, five weeks; 6. "Aloha," $10 million, opening; 7. "Poltergeist," $7.8 million, $38.2 million, two weeks; 8. "Far from the Madding Crowd," $1.4 million, $8.3 million, five weeks; 9. "Hot Pursuit," $1.3 million, $32.3 million, four weeks; 10. "Home," $1.1 million, $170.4 million, 10 weeks;Box Office, May 22: "Tomorrowland" proved to be the Memorial Day holiday weekend hit, opening at No. 1 with $32.9 million, with "Pitch Perfect 2" chiming in at No. 2, dropped from its high-note No. 1 opening, with a close $30.8 million, $109.5 million, two weeks;3. "Mad Max: Fury Road," $24.8 million, $88.2 million; 4."Poltergeist," $22. 6 million, opening; 5. "Avengers: Age of Ultron," $21.6 million, $404.8 million, four weeks; 6. "The Age Of Adaline," $15 million, $39.9 million, five weeks; 7. "Hot Pursuit," $3.6 million, $29 million, three weeks; 8. "Furious 7," $2.2 million, $347.1 million, eight weeks; 9. "Far from the Madding Crowd," $2.2 million, $5.4 million, four weeks; 10. "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2," $1.8 million, $65.6 million, six weeksUnreel, June 5:"Entourage," R: The popular television series hits the big screen. Super-agent Ari Gold becomes a movie studio mogul. Movie star Vincent Chase and his posse, Eric, Turtle and Johnny, go along for the ride. Jeremy Piven, Kevin Connolly, Jerry Ferrara and Adrian Grenier star in the comedy."Spy," R: Paul Feig directs Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne and Morena Baccarin in a comedy about a CIA desk jockey who goes undercover."Insidious: Chapter 3," PG-13: Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, Angus Sampson and Leigh Whannell star in a prequel to the horror film."Love & Mercy," PG-13: The biopic about Beach Boys' songwriter Brian Wilson recounts his personal struggles and pop music triumphs. Elizabeth Banks, John Cusack, Paul Dano and Paul Giamatti star."Testament Of Youth," PG-13: Emma Watson stars in the biographical drama about a young British woman during World War I. Colin Morgan, Joanna Scanlan and Miranda Richardson costar.Read Paul Willistein's movie reviews at the Lehigh Valley Press website, thelehighvalley-press.com; the Times News website, tnonline.com; and hear them on "Lehigh Valley Art Salon," 6-6:30 p.m. Mondays, WDIY 88.1 FM, wdiy.org, where the movie reviews are archived. Email Paul Willistein: pwillistein@ tnonline.com. Follow Paul Willistein on Twitter @PaulWillistein and friend Paul Willistein on Facebook.Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes