Wives and Daughters
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Movie Reviews of Wives and Daughters
Movie Review: Davies
Summary: 5 Stars
Andrew Davies is fantastic at doing screenplay adaptations. In fact when I see his name in the credits I can be certain that the story will be spot on to the book and done in an entertaining fashion. He really is brilliant.
With that being said the BBC was not releasing miniseries on the heels of the success of Pride and Prejudice, they have been doing miniseries of great books for quite awhile.
Also Elizabeth Gaskell is a very fine writer who understood perhaps better than others the real plight of the lower classes. She had the rare experience of moving about the city where others did not go because she was the minister's wife.
As for Wives and daughters Molly Gibsons happy little life is turned topsy turvey when her father the local doctor marries a woman who is ridiculous and vain and brings to the marriage her own daughter who is unabashedly vain. The stepsisters become fast friends despite their very obvious differences in character. Molly is all politeness, good manners and more awkward than Cynthia who is worldly and outspoken.
Prior to the arrival of Molly's step mother and step sister, Molly has befriended the Hamley's who have two sons the much beloved Osbourne and the lesser discussed Roger Hamley. Mrs. Gibson desires her daughter to marry Osbourne for he should be worth a good fortune.
The story progresses with Molly being told secrets from every angle that she must conceal. Including her own secret about a certain Mr. Hamley.
It really is a treasure and a lot of fun to watch. The performances are outstanding.
Movie Review: MASTERPIECE OF FACIAL EXPRESSION AND PERIOD FINENESS
Summary: 5 Stars
Over 4 years since release, I agree with 96% that rank this FANTASTIC. The directing must have had a good bit to do with the success because the visual expression is as important as dialogue in bring across the characters, and they are lovely to see. Period (1829) details are divine, perfection, and the making-of and other bonus material only adds to the understanding of why this is so enjoyable. You'll love seeing and meeting the folk of Hollingford.
I strongly recommend you go through the 3rd disc, bonus, entirely prior to watching the series. Even the Who's Who guide to the stars will assist your understanding of who is who as well as the level of the skill of the cast. A love story built around a village community of activity. All in the Victorian style, proper, and family-friendly. My wife and I LOVED it. Molly (Justine Waddell) and Cynthia (Keeley Hawes) are photogenic as well as facially ultra-expressive. From funny to sad, a glance can say it all. A tip of the beaver skin topper to those gals. Other cast is almost as good, and Lady Cumnor's (Barbara Leigh-Hunt) speech defect is a hoot. And laugh you will at the snootiness and gossipy Mrs. Goodenough (Elizabeth Spriggs.) A gorgeous bevy of girls for the guys, and a solid handful of hunks for the gals to ogle. Scenery you'd travel for, if you could.
I have no idea how well this story follows the Elizabeth Gaskell book, but I'd bet she'd be honored at this series adaptation. It's a keeper. Dare we compare to "Pride and Prejudice?" Already a re-watch DVD. All 5 hours.
Movie Review: Bought it, watched it, LOVED IT!!!! Now I'm reading the book!
Summary: 5 Stars
After watching various previews of Wives and Daughters and seeing so many good reviews of this film adaptation, I knew I just had to go buy it and see for myself. It turns out that what everyone was saying about it was absolutely right!! This film is masterful and so beautiful!! It's such a masterpiece! I cannot believe that Elizabeth Gaskell is not as well known as Ms. Jane Austen, because we all should definitely be reading more of her works!! I was hooked throughout the whole film, it seemed so true to life. Not only was it a love story, but also it was a life story in that it focused on the humanity of people. I found all walks of life can relate to it. Each character had a distinct personality and way of thought which was depicted very well throughout the film. I loved how it delved into the way of the human mind! And although the book was left unfinished due to Mrs. Gaskell's death, the film had a good version of the possible ending. I would recommend this film to Anyone! You will not regret it!! Anyone who loves Jane Austen will love Elizabeth Gaskell's works as well!!
By the way, the film adaptation of Mrs. Gaskell's other novel North & South is excellent as well!!
Movie Review: A Pleasant Way to Spend an Afternoon
Summary: 5 Stars
Wives and Daughters brings you comfortably into the world of our not so distant past. The same trials, tribulations, misunderstandings; the same people with and without moral values, an abundance of sound intellect coupled with those not so gifted; all swirling through a most plausable love story.
A tom boy growing up without a mother's feminine touch, Molly Gibson becomes too attached to her sole parent, her wise and hardworking, doctor father. Trying to shelter her from unwanted young male advances, Dr. Gibson unwittingly puts her into the local squires houshold which thrusts upon her more of lifes turmoils than he could ever guess.
In the meantime, the doctor becomes enamored with a beautiful, but self serving woman who, along with her beautiful, sweet, but flakey daughter bring even more turmoil into the lives of the Gibson father and daughter.
A delight for the eyes and ears; it is in all ways one of the most pleasant movies I turn to on a lazy afternoon when strife in excess is unwelcomed. The costumes and scenery are realistic as is the script. The frequent used of horses and landscapes make this productions richer for it.
Movie Review: First-rate adaptation of Gaskell's novel
Summary: 5 Stars
Because this dvd is a Masterpiece Theatre production it moves at a slower pace than a made-for-theaters movie. This allows enough time to develop Elizabeth Gaskell's themes about 18th Century social and economic realities; the changes in men's and women's relationship to the land; and the impact of science and the industrial revolution on the arcane ins and outs of the English class system. Sounds really dull! But it also works as just a really good romance. As usual, Gaskell's points are made using realistic, fully developed, complex characters. This production is also wonderfully cast (the actors are good-looking even by Hollywood movie standards and great actors) and beautifully filmed. It's a good story without any additional context, but it is gets even better with a bit of reading about the period and about Gaskell's life and philosophy. Of course the best read after seeing the movie is the novel itself. After renting the dvd several times, I decided it was, like the 1995 Masterpiece Theatre productions of "Pride and Prejudice" and "North and South" a dvd that I needed to own.