Tipping the Velvet
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Movie Reviews of Tipping the Velvet
Movie Review: Read the book
Summary: 3 Stars
Please read the book first; you will thank me for it later. The movie worked well as a follow up to the book, but on its own it was not enough of the story. Please read the book!Movie Review: A Groundbreaking Masterpiece! The Best Production I've Ever Seen!
Summary: 5 Stars
"Tipping The Velvet" is one of the modern day television productions that proves that some television can be just as good or even better(as this is) than what you see at your local theater.
If you want to read the plot, read this and if you want other details skip down to the next paragraph. This is the unforgettable portrait of an unconventional young girl named Nan who works as a naive oyster girl, until she discovers her repressed homosexuality when she falls in love with a successful woman named Kitty who dresses as a male for her stage proffession. The young girl soon joins the act as another male impersonator and they are a major hit. Soon the both of them embark on a tender affair. Kitty eventually becomes enveloped in a marriage of convenience and ravages young Nan's heart. From then on, Nan works as male impersonated prostitute to men looking to have sex with boys, then she becomes the private sex slave to the evil and sadomasochistic Diana where Nan experiences severe emotional abuse. When that ends badly, Nan is on the streets again where she recalls a young woman named Florence; a good-hearted socialist who had the true potential of being a wonderful partner. That's where Nan will discover the power of socialism and learn how to get back to fame.
The region 1 transfer is of exceptional picture quality, there is a very good scene selction, an eloquent photo gallery and a fun interview between novelist Sara Waters and the film's writer Andrew Davies.
The sets, costumes, cinematography and music are gorgeous. The acting, writing and directing are extremely strong and filled with realism, class and originality. I loved the film and the novel. Section III in the film is much different in the film than in the novel, because section III in the novel is great written down, but isn't screen material. I will be brave and say that I love the films interpretation of it much more.
This breathtaking historical ingeniously combines drama, comedy, erotica and romance to vibrant perfection in a way that is both deeply moving and spiritually uplifting. For every mature and open-minded adult who has ever felt the pleasures, pains and power of falling in love and living life to it's fullest. A revolutionary production; an absolute must-see!
Movie Review: Didn't like it.
Summary: 1 Stars
Bad acting, predictable story, terrible editing, lousy obtrusive music, all in all I really disliked this film.Movie Review: A smart, intellegent film about women -- who happen to be in love with each other
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm a sucker for a good romantic tale. It doesn't really matter what sort of story it is, as long as the emotions are honest, there's a good chance that I'll take it in. And controversy doesn't bother me at all either. That all said, I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed watching this adaptation of Sarah Waters' first novel, Tipping the Velvet.
Starting in a seashore town in Kent, we meet Nancy Astley (Rachael Stirling). She works in the family oyster shop, labouring away in the back, opening up oysters and finding life, well, a bit cramped. She has a steady beau, Freddie, but she doesn't feel too much in his arms. Nan doesn't quite know what she wants, she just knows that it's not going to be happening here in Whitstable. But very soon, things are going to be in an uproar, especially when her elder sister's fiance treats them all to a night at the music hall.
There on stage is the beautiful Kitty Butler (Keely Hawes), daring and luscious, dressed as a young man and singing about love. Nan is instantly smitten with a crush, unable to take her eyes from her. She's not quite sure what's happening, all she knows is that she wants a future with Kitty in it. Night after night she returns to watch, waiting for that moment when Kitty flings her rose into the audience and it lands in the lap of a young woman. But, alas, the rose never does come flying her way. At home, Nan is starting to realize that she's just not fitting in, and even her would-be suitor and sharp-eyed sister are starting to take notice.
On the last night of Kitty's appearance in the music hall, Nan finds herself the recipient of that rose, and an invitation to come and talk to Kitty in her dressing room. Why not, Kitty suggests, come to London with her to be her dresser? And Nan leaps at the chance, leaving behind her family, having already shed her boyfriend in a fit of pique.
Things are a bit awkward at first in the room that they share in the boarding house. But Kitty finds herself falling in love, not just with Kitty, but also with the theatre life. And Kitty's manager, Mr Bliss (John Bowe) encourages Nan to try for herself in dressing as a male impersonator and singing on the stage in a double bill with Kitty.
The result is, as they say, a hit. Soon the pretend kisses on stage are resulting in a fiery affair in bed as well, as Nan falls head over heels for Kitty -- that is until a visit home reveals that she simply doesn't fit in any more, and worse, her sister's firm repugnance and rejection of Nan's new lifestyle. Reeling, Nan returns to London, and finds Kitty in bed with their manager, and an impending marriage in the works. Heartbroken, Nan flees and right into the sordid underworld of prostitution in London. It's a lucrative trade, dressing as a boy, and relieving well-heeled toffs of gold soveriegns.
That is, until an encounter gone bad has the unlikeliest of rescuerers. Plucked from rape and disaster, Nan finds herself in the hands of Diana Lethaby (Anna Chancellor), wealthy aristocrat and a very dominant personality. Soon Nan is esconced in a very gilded, very dull cage, where she happily submits to any sort of desire that Diana can dream up. It's a decadent, depraved existance, and the excitement comes to a tumultuous end in a night of violence and abuse.
Back on the streets, Nan is penniless and alone. Can she possibly put her life back together and survive?
This is a strong, powerfully acted and directed drama. Director Geoffrey Sax gives the viewer a story that at times hinges on the pornographic, but never pushes it over into the realm of the tasteless. I'll admit it, I was entranced by Nan's story of survival and love. Adapted by Andrew Davies from Waters' novel, it's full of smart dialog, complex characters, and while not much is left to the viewer's imagination, there's more eroticism in this one than what you'd see in most adult fare. Call it tasteful, smart, soft-core porn if you will.
The acting from Keeley Hawes and Rachael Stirling is what really makes this film work. They're beautiful, seductive, but never quite trashy, and the backdrop of music hall life gives it a tawdry humor that you can laugh at, but not feel bad about. The rest of the cast is good as well, with Chancellor providing a real menace and danger with the character of Diana that was chilling at times.
Other good points are the details in the clothing and set design as well as the on-location shooting. Author Sarah Waters has a small cameo in the film, a rather nice touch. What I enjoyed the most about the film was that there wasn't any excuses made for the characters' sexual orientation, and that it's not there as a sordid bit of titillation for the audience. These women have embraced their lifestyle choice, and are revelling in it, at least as much as Victorian morality will let them. It's certainly is a bit freer than what there is today, without the sermonizing and damnation that the straight world provides in most films.
Yes, it's certainly not for children of any age, and I'd say that most adults would feel a bit uncomfortable with the subject matter, and especially as a sex toy plays a, ahem, prominent role in the film. But it's very tastefully done, and the sex itself is actually a smaller part of the story than you'd suspect. Rather it's the story of coming of age, and the very complicated relationships between Nan and the various people that she meets in her effort to find a home of her own.
Those who are curious may be surprised that male impersonators were a feature of music hall society, and while lesbianism wasn't accepted openly, it was far more common than most percieved notions would lead us to believe. Hawes and Stirling would work together on another BBC production, a modern day version of Othello.
The DVD has a few extras, including an interview with Sarah Waters and Andrew Davies, scene and episode selections, and a photo gallery, along with filmographies for the cast. The film itself is divided up into three episodes, and runs close to three hours in length. It also looks as though there is to be a theatrical version in 2009.
I would strongly suggest that parents be a bit wary in letting their children watch this one, as it is very adult material. The film itself is unrated, but I would give it a very hard R rating, given the topic.
Recommended.
Movie Review: tastefully scrumptious
Summary: 5 Stars
bbc gets a gold star for airing this. 10 gold stars actually.
what a succulent romp through victorianna!
tipping the velvet is visually rich in hue, costume and setting, only to complement the plush plot, script and convincing acting. {a sensual tour-de-force!}. it has what many great classic stories have- love, betrayal, hope, shattered dreams, loss, struggles, [and hot sex sceens,] along with growth within the characters. you instantly fall in love with the main character, nan. she's a creative fighter, and lovely to look at. you see her rise from seaside working class to selling herself to endearing friend and lover all in this fantastic series. i only wish it was a longer run. i could watch this for hours. rent it, buy it, just don't be surprised at how fantastic and entertaining it is!
why don't we have good [free] programing like this in the usa???