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Persuasion (2007)
Subtle and Superb adaptation of Jane Austen classic!!
It is difficult to emphasise how good this adaptation of Persuasion is - and it IS very, very good - without comparing it to the earlier 1997 version.
Firstly, however, it is excellent in its own right. The performance of Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliott is flawless as she exudes a lovable warmth whilst also appearing desperately depressed and consumed with regret at her having rejected Captain Wentworth all those years ago. Some people dislike the end scene which features a long pre-kiss shot of Anne leaning forward waiting for Wentworth to meet her halfway to kiss. Without saying to those people who dislike this scene, "you just don't get it", I think that they are missing the beauty and subtlety of this amazing film. Wentworth is a man scorned, hurt deeply by Anne's breaking off their engagement, and her abandonment. In the end of the film, Wentworth is conflicted by his love of Anne, his resentment for her betrayal, and his fragile hope for their future as she again now accepts his offer of marriage - hence, he slowly and thoughtfully leans toward Anne to kiss her.
I have watched only half of the 1997 version of Persuasion (the theatrical tone of the film annoyed me), and I have read Austen's novel. I personally found Anne, in the 1997 version, to be extremely blank-faced, lacking charisma (very unlike the character in the novel), and the acting to be really dreadful: the attempts to portray regret and sorrow, which Sally Hawkins does magnificently, just appears perpetually emotionless.
Also, there were many deviations in the 1997 version, scenes and even characters added in the film which were not in the book. They didn't even add anything to the story.
Now, THIS 2007 version does have some deviations from the novel but the heart and the tone of the film so accurately reflects the tone of the novel that I now find it difficult to distinguish between the two: almost like the TV series of Pride and Prejudice and the book. Anne's sister and father, who are depicted atrociously in the 1997 version and farcically, appear real in this movie, albeit extremely conceited.
Finally, the scene in which Anne runs around Bath is THE BEST use of poetic license I have seen in any adaptation. It is not there for no reason. We, at last, see a strong female character who actively pursues her love-interest in this unique period drama. As Anne does similarly in the novel when she lets an eavesdropping Wentworth know that she "loves longest when all hope is gone" whilst in a conversation with his friend. The scene works so well because Anne, of course, is a very strong woman in the novel and this scene gives her some more sense of power and determination in the film.
If you're looking for a film with brilliant acting, great script, and uncliched, artistic direction then this 2007 adaption of Persuasion will not disappoint.
Lark Rise to Candleford (2008)
Like a family Soap Opera...but with period costumes.
I've just finished watching season 1 of this series and, to cut to the chase, I'm not impressed. The acting was usually tolerable - Julia Sawalha and Olivia Grant were clear stand-outs and a pleasure to watch. The other actors have my pity: almost all the characters have been denied the basic right and necessity to develop and create depth. The writers and producers of this series (the first season, at least) should to go back to film school or pick up a history book to learn that 19th century life had far more meaningful worries than a lost parcel or teenage love triangles.
Many of the episodes start promisingly and tease the viewer with the prospect that they will soon be witnessing something more than inconsequential frivolities; and then in the last five or so minutes of the episode every inch of seriousness is cut short and the loose ends tied with a pretty yellow ribbon (no doubt purchased from the ridiculous Pratt sisters). To the credit of the show, it does occasionally present serious issues such as domestic abuse, financial mismanagement, and alcoholism. These issues are, however, trivialised in the show by the inability of any of the characters to develop and change after being inflicted by these issues: the beaten wife returns happily to her husband after she magically returns from the workhouse, the Pratt sisters are distraught and form a bond with Dorcas after being conned by their father only to be, five minutes later, back to their snarky old selves, a love interest to Dorcas (who was born in the workhouse and is therefore resilient) leaves town a few days after arriving in Candleford to avoid being fired from his job and to avoid one day, perhaps, growing unhappy with her, etc.
It's probably better for this show to steer clear from the serious stuff entirely unless it's going to address the harsh reality, and unhappy endings, which they may cause accurately. This series, set in two small country towns had the potential of being great if it didn't try to sugar coat every issue and with fluff. As such, I can only say that it is good - even then I'm being generous.
El sexo de los ángeles (2012)
Great cast but an otherwise romantic let down with anti-gay underpinnings
I don't think that I'm the only one who, after watching this film, felt a little cheated. I initially thought that this would be a film about forbidden love, love surpassing all obstacles, a film that depicted the intricacies and beauty of same-sex monogamous love. I could barely have been more disappointed after watching this film as I found it so biased towards heterosexuality. The story begins sweetly enough, with a young man who has a girlfriend, finding out that he has a deep emotional and sexual connection to another man. Beautiful start, and then the film goes steadily downhill... After meeting the man he would fall in love with, Bruno and Carla (yes, Carla and not Rai) have a rather graphic romantic sex scene. If straight sex is what you're into then there are a few more similar scenes. Frustratingly any depiction of gay sexual interaction is filmed in either a sinister context (Bruno being caught cheating by his girlfriend) or a brief and vague shot with Bruno and Rai in a holiday-house. I don't necessarily think that sex is important or always belongs in a good romantic film, but there is a slight anti-gay undercurrent that runs through this film (as seen in the depiction of the love scenes), which brings me to my second point...
I thought that it was quite unbelievable and disappointing that Bruno found another man who he had this deep connection with and loved, only for him to stay with his girlfriend and then only have Rai as a lover on the side. To add to the disappointment, Carla falls in love with Rai and they all end up living happily ever after, together, in a great big apartment that they could never afford...with their salaries combined. Now perhaps monogamy is just as unrealistic as polygamy, biologically speaking, though I would much rather watch a film depicting the under-represented theme of monogamous gay love than a film which reinforces the stereotype that gay or bi people are sexually unrestrained, i.e the ménage à trois . Some people may find that this hetero-biased film about polygamous love easy to relate to and enjoyable, though I certainly did not. I will say that the actors were all great, and the the cinematography was quite well done, but the rest was simply bleak.
Stadt Land Fluss (2011)
A farming movie, with some gay elements, that tests the patience of the viewer.
I watched this movie with a pretty open mind; I had no idea what it was about initially, except that there was a gay romance and that it was set on a farm (as the title suggests). Luckily, I love farms and find them to be interesting but this film really tested the limits of that love. The lengthy shots of cows walking around, getting their ears tagged, and of machinery being used or set-up definitely added to the authenticity of the film but it did little to advance the plot, or my interest.
Speaking of plot, there is basically none. Instead, what they have given us is some rather pointless dialogue involving random interns and teachers, who often show up, deliver their insignificant line and disappear for the rest of the movie.
The lead actors are rather good and there is some brilliant cinematography found in the film (especially when they are in the barn and the light is pouring in through the wooden walls; and the scene with the water bursting from the sprinkler), but overall it fails to deliver a gripping plot or interesting characters with any depth. If you want to see a great character-driven drama, set on a farm with gay characters and a good plot, check out The Mudge Boy, Ander, or Brokeback Mountain - but Harvest will likely disappoint.