This BBC made-for-TV two-parter is a wonderful adaptation of the novel by the same name. In typical BBC fashion, the Victorian era sets and costumes are authentic, the camera work is artful, and the acting is superb. Perhaps most importantly, the recreation is very faithful to the book. The author of the novel, Sarah Waters, has an amazing talent for storytelling, suspense, and rich characterizations. In addition, there are several revelations and twists in the plot that will really surprise you if you haven't read the book first.
The casting and acting are uniformly excellent, including the Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton, and I look forward to seeing more films by the two leading ladies, Sally Hawkins and Elaine Cassidy, both of whom were utterly believable and touching.
My only complaint is Rupert Evans' casting in the pivotal character of Gentleman. Having read the book, I pictured Gentleman as a good ten years older than Evans. Evans does not express the complexity and ambivalence inherent in Gentleman's personality, instead portraying him as a one-dimensional villain. Fortunately, the other performances and the production as a whole are strong enough that this failing did not detract from my overall appreciation of a very well-made, engrossing and heartfelt drama.
Great adaptation
Having read the book and then watching the DVD, the translation is very good. A complex story and wonderful scenes between Sally Hawkins and Elaine Cassidy make the film. I highly recommend both venues!
Excellent adaptation of brilliant book
I pre-ordered this dvd months ago, and I have to say it was worth the wait. The book could not have been easy to adapt. The novel is detailed and rich, and the plot is complicated. But the adaptation is excellent! Yes, some things were left out. Also, the movie does start a bit slowly (so did the book), and the part of Gentleman might have been miscast -- I was expecting someone more like Bruce Campbell. But the movie stands on its own as a literary piece. The movie and the book are both exceptional, but in different ways. The movie is great storytelling. In addition, the direction, acting, sets, and costumes are top notch. This is a very high quality production -- why can't American filmmakers make films like this?
I am a little disappointed with the negative reviews that people have given for this movie, not b/c I thought it was great, but b/c of the remarks made. "The actors weren't hot, there were not enough sex scenes, they talked to the camera the whole time..." Well, these chicks are real and this is their story, I'm personally glad there weren't many sex scenes (watching lesbian sex on TV just irritates me b/c they always look phony--although these are real lesbians, so who knows), and it IS a play! Yes, I was pretty unprepared for the staight on monologing but I got interested in how their story was going to play out and the ending--the fact that these two girls are telling their own story--was worth it. I'm not saying to buy it, but rent it! If you like it then throw the girls a bone... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Lee Friedlander DVD Release Date: Released the 16 August 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Once a series has broken new ground, where does it go from there? Showtime's The L Word, concerning the relationships of a community of lesbian Los Angelenos, turned heads with its smart, funny writing and fully realized characters. Season Two offers more of the same, with some notable guest stars and experiments in narrative and music. This season, Jenny (Mia Kirshner) fully embraces her sexuality as her ex-husband/roomie (Eric Mabius) departs and voyeuristic documentary filmmaker Mark (Eric Lively) and womanchaser Shane (Katherine Moennig) move in. Shane and Jenny struggle good-heartedly over the affections of new character Carmen (Sarah Shahi), who isn't given much to do plot-wise apart from occasionally spinning records and serving as one corner of the love triangle. Bette... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Rose Troche - Tricia Brock - Burr Steers - Ernest R. Dickerson - Jeremy Podeswa DVD Release Date: Released the 25 October 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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"It's Pride and Prejudice with dirty bits." That's how screenwriter Andrew Davies (Bridget Jones' Diary), in an interview contained on this disc, describes his adaptation of Sarah Waters's acclaimed novel of lesbian love, betrayal, and redemption in Victorian England. This three-part BBC production chronicles with relish the story of Nan Astley (Rachael Stirling, the ravishing image of her mother, Diana Rigg), barely 18, and certain that life holds more for her than her oyster girl's existence. "You'll meet someone who'll have your head spinning and your legs turning to jelly," her sister promises. That someone surprisingly turns out to be "gay and bold" Kitty Butler (Keeley Hawes), a music-hall entertainer, with whom Nan falls instantly, and swooningly, in love. Nan... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Geoffrey Sax DVD Release Date: Released the 27 January 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Saving Face starts like you might expect a Chinese-American lesbian romantic comedy to start: Young surgeon Wilhelmina (Michelle Krusiec, in her first starring role) has kept her sexual orientation secret from the conservative Chinese community of Flushing, NY--but when her mother (Joan Chen, The Last Emperor) becomes pregnant and is kicked out by her own parents, Wil suddenly has to juggle her mother's secrets with her own...which include her sparky new romance with Vivian (Lynn Chen), a ballet dancer and the daughter of Wil's boss. This bundle of intrigue and lust could motivate a wacky farce, but writer/director Alice Wu takes things a step further, delving into the characters' psyches and the complex social rules of their world while still crafting a strong plot and... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Michelle Krusiec - Joan Chen Director(s): Alice Wu DVD Release Date: Released the 18 October 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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