Call the Midwife

I watched this whole series for you yesterday!

Call the Midwife is a BBC drama that premiered in 2012 and was overshadowed by Downton. I've known about it for as long as it's been out, but was one that was focused on Downton. Now I've got some time off of Downton, with some hard feelings, so I've given Call the Midwife a go.

Tellyspotting article here. 

It's about nuns delivering babies in London's East End in the late 1950s. I can see how it might not attract as many viewers as Downton as I feel it's a show women would like more. I'd be interested to know of any men's opinions on it versus Downton. There are many many many birth scenes that while not full on, can get pretty graphic. As would be expected many possible pregnancy complications are tackled and either overcome....or not. I cried every episode. It's a beautiful show with likable characters, touching plots and high production value.

Venessa Redgrave does the voice over for the main character Jenny, as she looks back on her life. Her commentary provides the insight and "moral" of each episode. The season starts with her saying that all babies are born out of love or lust and that she was to learn of the passions and loves that brings life into the world. The rest of the season follows this theme as different kinds of love are examined. It's a great study on love (which of course has been popping up in my life so much recently...)

Series 1 is on Netflix, six episodes of 52 minutes. I think it's also available on PBS's website. Series 2 premieres on PBS this Sunday. It's not a Masterpiece series oddly enough...It's on after Doc Martin but before Masterpiece.

Mr. Selfridge is premiering on Masterpiece this week too...and I'm not so keen on watching it. I'm not sure why, but we'll see. I never got into Upstairs Downstairs either...things I'm sure I'll amend someday like I have with Call the Midwife.

Also, the actress that plays Nurse Jenny Lee looks like my beautiful friend Elizabeth, especially with her hair short now. 

The Remains of the Day

Sometimes I'm absolutely not inspired to blog, then my mom happens upon The Remains of the Day on TV.

The summer before college I got a TV/DVD player and Blockbuster online and I, in effect, watched most of the important costume dramas to that point in time. Amongst them were many Merchant/Ivory films. I read and/or purchased the accompanying books; read A Room With a View, bought Howards End. 

I was determined to read The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro before I watched the film and I couldn't wait to see it so I ran to the library and hunkered down...HOLD UP. I've been going through my journals and I cross referenced RofD that summer, but I guess I watched it the summer before my senior year, strange. Anyway, this is what I had to say after I read it...

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Sunday 18 June 2006
Oh man, I just sobbed bitterly and uncontrollably for like five plus minutes at the end of The Remains of the Day. Are you joking me?...OH Stevens! I lost it, I was all sprawled on my bed from many a maneuver all night to try and get comfortable, my comforter all twisted, my mouth guard in, just sobbing and weeping uncontrollably...I just laid there all contorted absolutely blubbering... AOAoGH!

Huh, I can't find an entry about actually seeing the movie. I do say that the library didn't have it. Oh well, anyway....

The Remains of the Day is amazing. S'bout Stevens the butler and his butling. The book is his telling of the good ol' days of Darlington Hall right before the Second World War. You quickly realize that Stevens is the perfect butler because his sole, and I mean sole purpose in life is to be of the most assistance to his employer as possible no matter what his employer does, or what he feels for others. It's just profoundly heartbreaking and amazing. The film stars Anthony Hopkins as Stevens and Emma Thompson as Miss Kenton the housekeeper with James Fox as Lord Darlington and Hugh Grant as Lord Darlington's godson. It's absolutely magnificent. Hopkins and Thompson are my favorite on screen couple and are just, ah! just SO good! If you like Downton you'll LOVE this, it's pre-Julian Fellowes, back in the day when Merchant and Ivory were the name in aristocratic and posh British costume dramas.

Go read it, cry a lot.

BBC Radio 4

I recently made a 13 hour drive and occupied most of my time with new podcasts! I wanted to make you all aware of my two favorite so far from BBC Radio 4. If you weren't aware the BBC still produces radio dramas, comedies, series, and so forth. People go to school to become radio actors! And screen actors do radio as well; David Tennant and Benedict Cumberbatch come to mind.

I stumbled upon The Art of Monarchy with Will Gompertz, who if you frequent the BBC News Entertainment page you'll recognize as the BBC's art editor. I enjoy his pieces on BBC News and really have been enjoying The Art of Monarchy podcast available on iTunes. Each twenty minute podcast looks at six objects in the Royal Collection and how they reflect upon that week's theme. So far image, war, faith, magnificence and people have been addressed. Gompertz travels to various royal sites including Windsor, The Tower of London, Hampton Court, and Balmoral to view these objects. They are described and discussed by Gompertz and various curators of the Collection. Images of the objects are available on BBC Radio 4's website for the program. I really enjoyed this podcast and can't wait for the final installments. This podcast is a must listen for Anglophiles captivated by the monarchy and English history.

The second podcast I really enjoyed surprised me. I downloaded Weekly Drama which is a weekly hour long drama or play from Radio 3 or 4. The first episode I listened to was a political satire that was basically a review of the European economic crises using Dickensian names that really bored me. The second episode, and the most recent available was titled An American Rose and was a play by Charlotte Jones about Kennedy sisters Kick and Rosemary. I've blogged a little about Kick here, so I knew what was going to happen to her. I'd never heard of Rosemary before so was intrigued and heartbroken by her story. Whether you know all or nothing about the Kennedies this play was well constructed to guide the audience to the necessary information as you needed it. The Kennedies' accents were very strange. I've heard JFK, Bobby, and Ted talk, but the women, who are the only Kennedies you hear, were a very strange Southern, Transatlantic, hardly Boston kind of a sound, strange but whatever. Mrs. Kennedy was played by Fenella Woolgar, whom I saw in The Real Thing at the Old Vic. This podcast seems like it'll be rather hit and miss with content preferences, but I really enjoyed An American Rose.

I've also subscribed to Friday Night Comedy which is Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me  w/o the contestants. Comedy of the Week I started, but didn't like the play from that week.

Also, if you love Benedict Cumberbatch's voice (and if you don't you probably enjoy the sound of forks scratching plates), get his reading of Metamorphosis by Kafka on Sci-Fi Friday, only parts 1 and 2 have been put up so far.

Julian Fellowes' Titanic

I've known about this for awhile, but realized that I haven't told you yet! And the thing is upon us!

Julian Fellowes of Downton Abbey fame (well, and Gosford Park if we want to get to the bottom of why he's famous) wrote a Titanic series for the 100th anniversary of the sinking. The four part series will air on ITV1 (Downton's home) in April and in the US by April 14th (official anniversary, and tax day present!).  I'd say that's a darn good turn around for the US showing! Huzzah! It's basically Downton on the Titanic, following all classes and characters aboard. Article from Telly Spotting here.

Cast includes (so excited for some of these!).

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David Calder, the dad from Bramwell, as Captain Smith, pretty dead ringer I'd say.

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Toby Jones, from like everything.

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Maria Doyle Kennedy, aka Mrs. Bates, aka my favorite gravel-y voiced lady actor.

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Linus Roache from Law & Order, didn't know he was English, did ya?

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Stephen Campbell Moore, He Knew He Was Right, Lark Rise to Candleford, and I saw him in All My Sons in London!
















You'll recognize a lot of other people as well, including Lily Potter! Sad thing though is that at least all of the men will die, and inevitably some of the women too, so don't get too attached, but with Julian Fellowes at the wheel (or helm rather) you are going to get very attached, THEN they'll all die.
IMDB PAGE!!
TRAILERS!!

 

Downton Abbey 2:5

:-: I don't trust the new maid.
:-: Did Bates kill Mrs. Bates?!
:-: Matthew's going to walk again: it's an Armistice miracle!
:-: I still don't feel bad for Edith if that's what they were going for with that one.
:-: I totally called that that dude was supposed to be Patrick as soon as they said it was a relative.
:-: Somehow any conversation about the Titanic seems like a hyperbolic joke; "But he drowned on THE TITANIC!!"
:-: Matthew's going to walk and he and Lavinia can be together and Lady Violet's going to tell Matthew that Mary still loves him (duh) and then what? THEN WHAT?!
:-: I'm still confused about O'Brien and Thomas. Friend thinks she's his mom, there's something going on there.
:-:What ailment is Cora going to have? Cancer? It's cancer isn't it? You can't kill Elizabeth McGovern, William yes, but Elizabeth McGovern?
:-: A'ight, war's over November 11, 1918, Treaty of Paris June 28, 1919 (are you impressed yet?)...series goes through New Year's Eve 1919...what's left to happen?
:-: Series finale Bates and Anna finally get together?
:-: Who's going to replace Carson? Will there end up being a need to replace him? If Mary marries Carlyle this series had better go as far as The Forsyte Saga so he can die or divorce like 10 years from now.
:-: Really superb make up on the Patrick impersonator.
:-: Lord Grantham's black tie was very dashing, changing times!!!!
:-: How dare Isobel presume that she can say whether or not Downton remains in service.
:-: Looks like Branson's going to get his way. Still not convinced they should be together, but the under the car shots in his shirt sleeves were very much appreciated.

Stay tuned! I have a Downton treat for all of you tomorrow!

Downton Abbey 2:2

It's so late and I'm so tired, but here it is...

-Thomas has a weird chubby/babyface but super handsome thing going on.
-Isobel is cheesing me off, even though she probs shouldn't be.
-Has Edith finally found a noble way to be out of everybody's way?
-Mary has redeemed herself from last season x10.
-I wish there was more dirt on Lavinia.
-Dame Maggie had some great great lines in this one.
-I do feel like we are keeping track of so many characters by now we spend very little time with any one of them.
-If you agreed to let your house be a hospital I don't know that you should be so put out by your house being a hospital.
-Aunt Rosamund is so obnoxious.
-I really want to webcam my roommate and I watching so you can see our reactions, esp to the "up next" part at the end.
-Bates is a good good man.
-Matthew is getting so so handsome.
-I still think William is going to die.
-Oh poor Mr. Lang. But when he leaves Mr. Bates has to come back!
-I'm so confused by O'Brian. She's trying to find a way to live with what she did to Lady Grantham by keeping her in charge of the house, but she's bringing Thomas back and it's all so strange.
-William hugging Daisy is a like Gandolf hugging Frodo.
-Branson needs to cool it so he can be with Sybil, but she's totally above the whole romance thing. Even if she does consider going away with him, I don't think she will.

War Horse

how cute are you Captain Nicholls?

I just got back from War Horse which I went to by myself while the actors were at rehearsal and the other costumers went to Sherlock Holmes. I saw the play in London as a part of my study abroad which forced me to read the play first. This ruined the ending for me which I didn't appreciate and I feel took away the emotional impact of the ending. I felt like seeing the play did the same for the movie. I knew what was going to happen and even though they threw a little twist in at the end I figured they couldn't change the bare bones of it. If I'm remembering the play correctly they changed and added some characters to make it more movie friendly, but overall it was basically the same plot.

Major change: no puppets. No puppets, no magic. The horse actors were phenomenal, but I just wasn't really drawn in. Honestly I never connected with the schpeal about a boy and his horse so it was the puppets of the play and the music of the Song Man that really got me. Without the spectacular puppets and eerie songs a lot was left to be desired. The score by John Williams was pretty, but nothing special, not like we've come to expect from him, although he does know how to use his French horns. While Joey the horse was beautiful I felt that he wasn't showcased enough. This might seem strange since he's the star, but the way it was filmed or something just didn't have the impact of how amazing these creatures were. The same goes for Topthorn who's the bad-a giant black horse that Joey befriends. In the play his puppet is remarkably bigger and differently built from Joey. The first time we see Topthorn in the film this is the case, but Topthorn's physical prowess is lost for the rest of it. Overall the horses just seemed tiny. Considering 14 horses were used for Joey it's no surprise that the changing of their size and build was distracting throughout. I just longed for the all encompassing theatre experience with the lighting and sound and live actors and all the audience members sharing the experience with you.

Highlights? Benedict Cumberbatch of course. I was grinning like a fool when he entered as Major Stewart even though he looks so dopey with a mustache. I was surprisingly taken with handsome Tom Hiddleston as Captain Nicholls who's getting better with age (even though it's only been 3 years since Cranford). Other than those two it was sort of a who's who of not too terribly famous British actors (Emily Watson, Peter Mullan, David Thewlis). The full length shots of the riding was of course a major highlight, even if you could tell it wasn't always Cumberbatch and Hiddleston doing their own riding, but sometimes it was, and you know how I love a good gallop.

Of course I was mortified by the war scenes and the barbed wire, but I wasn't really moved all that much. I went hoping to weep through the whole thing as others I know have done, but honestly I only got emotional during the Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close trailer and during the credits when it said "Based on the play by So and So, first produced at the London National Theatre".

Topthorn is a boss.

I think as a movie those who haven't experienced the magic and charm of the play won't mind it and will probably even like it. It's sentimental and patriotic in a "isn't war horrible, rah for getting through it" kind of a way. Albert wasn't nearly as terrible as he is in the play, that's something the movie has. It also kept the goose.

Original entry on War Horse the play (bottom of entry).

Downton Abbey 2:1 reflections

SPOILERS (duh)

My roommate and I started rewatching Downton series one thinking we wouldn't be able to watch the series two premiere until PBS posted it the next day, but lo and behold they posted it on Sunday night! We watched it in the dark of our kitchen and squealed and freaked out and cried the whole time. I couldn't calm down for an hour and it took me another 45 minutes to fall asleep.

Series 2 Episode 1:

handsome handsome Mathew.

:-:Mary still is entirely too narrow and square and has crocodile teeth, but I've liked her more in this episode than any other.
:-: I'm so happy there are so many uniforms. I love WWI uniforms, I love British uniforms, I love British WWI uniforms.
:-:Lord Grantham is my favorite character. Yes Bates is a close second, but he falls on his sword too often and quickly. Lord Grantham is a noble, upstanding and caring boss (as in "he's boss"). He's such a stud.
:-: I want to play with Hugh Bonneville's (Lord Grantham's) hair.
:-: I'm always a little startled by how attracted I am to Matthew considering his chin is almost nonexistant, but his eyes are so blue and his hair just gets better and better. He's been losing weight, his tux is more flattering this season.
:-: Thomas is so so evil, but so so handsome.
:-: I'm confused by O'Brien's relationship with Thomas and Lang. She seems mildly redeemed from last season. Does she have a mother/son or aunt/nephew relationship with Thomas or is she a tragic cougar that will never get her cub?
:-: So happy the chauffeur talked to Sybil, but what's the matter with her? She's always been rather disconnected from the romance of the show, which needs to end.
:-: Bates calling his wife a bitch might have been one of my favorite things ever, even though it's not very nice.
:-: Mrs. Hughes listening to Bates and Mrs. Bates was a good move. I'm glad Lord Grantham knows the sitch, but shouldn't someone tell Anna?
:-: Poor poor Anna.
:-: OF COURSE Mary wouldn't tell Matthew she loves him after she talked to Lavinia.
:-: Edith and the farmer make me furious. She should go drive ambulances and be really useful and not a home wrecker.
:-: Violet and Isobel actually agreed concerning Sybil. War is doing the Dowager good I think. She's a boss.
:-: Ya gotta wonder what the former Earl of Grantham was like to marry Violet and be Robert's father.
:-: Sir Richard seems a lot like Mr. Preston from Wives and Daughters, played by the same actor. I hope he ruins Lavinia so Matthew can be with Mary. I hope Matthew isn't noble enough to stick with her if she is ruined.
:-: Why do I want Mary to be happy all the sudden?
:-: William is going to die. Someone has to.
:-: Freshly styled wigs, I like.
:-: Carson's loyalty to Mary is always endearing.
:-: Pray that Anna's conversation with Mary about never getting over Bates will keep her from accepting Sir Richard. Of course they won't get married, but I don't even want them to get engaged.
:-: Lord Grantham yelling at Bates made me sadder than Matthew asking Mary to take care of Lavinia.
:-:Mosley makes me angry. I certainly wouldn't want to go to war and I feel bad for judging, but he's kind of a coward isn't he?
:-: Lang's a handsome dude, but Bates needs to come back.

dashing men

:-: New maid annoys me, but of course Mr. Fellowes has redeemed her by the end of the episode, mostly.
:-: Did I mention how much I like Lord Grantham?
:-: Lady Cora's way of talking still bugs me.


Here's a fun "likabilty" chart from the Masterpiece website. My feelings towards these characters are much more extreme than the chart of averages.

Great on set photos.

Leading men should be good at...

kissing

riding horses

fighting (w/ and w/o weapons)

shooting guns

wearing clothes (including hats)

being charming

smiling

not smiling

looking at home on a boat

walking in sand

And with that I leave you for the holidays. While I wouldn't mind posting over the weekend I've noticed that people tend to be paying attention to their families and not the blogosphere.

Click for part 2

My future movie collection

Everynowandthen I think of a movie that I need to have in my collection because I either love it or because I know that my children will need to have a knowledge of it, usually both. I figured I better start getting these titles down so I can have a real list. I'm sure I've missed some so let me know. We'll see if I already have them.

Musicals
An American in Paris
Bells Are Ringing
Singin' in the Rain
Brigadoon
My Fair Lady
The King and I
Top Hat
White Christmas
The Nutcracker
The Court Jester
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Thoroughly Modern Millie (even though I like the stage show better)
Not on the Lips

Kids
Beauty and the Beast
Aladin
The Lion King
The Little Mermaid
Cinderella
Sleeping Beauty
Mulan
Emperor's New Groove
Snow White
Monster's Inc.
Finding Nemo
A Bug's Life
Toy Stories
Hook
Swan Princess
Enchanted
Tangled
The Santa Clause
Mr. Kruger's Christmas
Quest for Camelot
Big
Blank Check
Wallace and Gromet
Muppet Christmas Carole
Great Muppet Caper
The Sandlot

Costume and/or Chick Flick
Anna and the King
Downton Abbey
Wives and Daughters
You've Got Mail
Sleepless in Seatle
While You Were Sleeping
Bleak House
Daniel Deronda
Branaugh's Much Ado About Nothing
Remains of the Day
Howard's End
Little Women (Christian Bale)

Elizabeth the Golden Age

39 Steps (Rupert Penry-Jones)
Cranford
Return to Cranford
Lost in Austen

Classics (as in Classic Hollywood)
Charade
Born Yesterday
Arsenic and Old Lace
Cool Hand Luke
The Quiet Man
Bullit
The Towering Inferno (Newman and McQueen)
Vertigo
Manchurian Candidate (Sinatra)
A Man for All Seasons
North By Northwest
Psycho
Tarzans (Johnny Wisemuller)
39 Steps
It's a Wonderful Life
Roman Holiday
Modern Times
Duck Soup
McLintock!
The Seabeas

Bollywood
Kabhi Khuchi Kabhie Gham
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Don
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Swades
Chak De India!
My Name is Khan
Main Hoon Na
Kal Ho Naa Ho
Sholay


Other
Strictly Ballroom
True Grit (2010)
Batmans (Christian Bale)
Lord of the Rings
Law and Order: SVU
Alias
Better Off Dead
One Crazy Summer
Can't Buy Me Love
The Baxter
Rockies (not 5 or 6)
Firefly
Serenity
Sherlock
Doctor Who Series 1 and 3-present (I have 2)
Harry Potters
Back the the Future
Indiana Jones
Star Wars IV-VI
Arrested Development
Quigley Down Under
Hamlet (RSC w/ David Tennant)

1970s: a great decade for wigs

A couple weeks ago I watched Poldark and skimmed through Fawlty Towers on Netflix. Poldark is set in the 1780s but was made in 1975 so it has some rippin' wigs. Fawlty Towers, a comedy series with John Cleese was also made in 1975. I realized the wigs from Poldark were bad, but never realized to what lengths hair was done in the '70s! Of course I took the liberty of capturing some stills for you. Aren't you grateful?

From Poldark. How amazing is this wig? and she wears one like this all the time. So terrible but great.

so great right? ug.

Prunella Scales from Fawlty Towers. The hair is great, esp the streak, but I'm really in love with her suit, not sarcastic at all.

Who knew the 1970s echoed the 1770s? I guess it makes sense bc of the bicentennial

check out that profile!

and from behind

Austenland movie

I wanted to make sure you know that Jerusha Hess is making the book Austenland by Shannon Hale into a movie. Yes, Jerusha Hess of Jared Hess fame. Yes Austenland the only non-Austen Austen fiction I've ever actually dared to read, and LOVED!

Austenland is about a woman who inherits a trip to an Austen-themed resort from her aunt as an attempt to fulfill her Austen dreams and wean her from her Colin Firth Mr. Darcy Pride and Prejudice addiction. Of course there is romance and all. Keri Russell plays Jane Hayes the heroine and JJ Feild (!!!) plays Mr. Henry Nobley, the Darcy character (he literally plays the Darcy character at the resort). I'm a little concerned that the costume and hair and make up designers have only done contemporary work, but that's just film. Here's hoping I won't have cause to die over the production elements.

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you know him as Mr. Tilney

I shy away, and/or reject the Austen fan genre of "what happened to the Darcy daughters", "what was Mr. Darcy's side",  "Jane Austen: detective" because I've found I kind of barf in my mouth when modern authors try to write Austen dialogue, BUT I liked Austenland, probably because it's not supposed to be real Austen characters. The idea is that it's all an act to give you the experience, so I forgive any overdone dialogue, which I'm sure there was, but seeing as I can't remember being particularly offended it couldn't have been that bad.

What does get me about the whole people traveling back in time, or being placed in a different time (Lost in Austen), is that these women who are supposedly obsessed with these books and movies are somehow shocked at the way life is in Regency England and are absolutely indecorous and completely baffled by men standing up when they enter or exit a room, don't get that they need to wear gloves to a ball, can't talk to someone until they're introduced etc. Again, as in my previous entry I realize that this is to further the plot by creating issues, but I for sure would make a smashing Regency lady, but then again I like to embroider and would love time to actually draw and paint and sew and do my hair all nice and wear stays.

Bramwell

I've been sick for the past couple of days so I've been watching the mid-nineties British drama Bramwell. Set in 1895 and starring Jemma Redgrave, Bramwell follows Eleanor Bramwell, woman doctor. She starts a hospital for the poor and trials ensue. I really like it. The costumes are phenomenal as are the hair and make up. Bramwell of course faces the challenges of being a woman doctor and a doctor in general. Every illness and situation is a new learning experience for Dr. Bramwell and she doesn't always make the correct decisions. It's on Netflix instant play and I'd highly recommend it.

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NOW, here's an issue I have with series or movies like this i.e. ones with strong, driven female leads (Bramwell, Lark Rise to Candleford, Cranford, Anne of Green Gables, My Brilliant Career). What's with these women going through men like water? The best and hunkiest of men always fawn all over these outspoken and beautiful women only to be rejected for usually one of two reasons: the woman doesn't love them (fine by me) or they could never imagine giving up their career which is oh so dear to them for a man. In more than one of these cases the guy promises they can have their career still, some even share the profession. I just get so mad! I think this emotion is heightened when one watches a series straight through so the men only last a couple hours at most. I do understand that yes a woman's life will change if she has a child, especially back then, but wouldn't that just be another challenge for such a supposedly gifted woman? I just get frustrated that these fictitious women are so careless with love. I get even madder when they're engaged and call it off. How cruel. Of course this is all pretend and I wouldn't keep watching if there wasn't hope for another fellow, but by golly it makes me so mad. Rant over.

My Fair Lady 2012

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 While trying to figure out titles for best costumes for the Academy Awards in February (entry to come) I happened upon Enchanted Serenity, which I occasionally trowel for costume drama news. Seems there's to be a new My Fair Lady! Adapted by Emma Thompson (a lady and a scholar). I'm assuming since it's called My Fair Lady and not Pygmalion they're keeping it a musical and am also assuming they'll keep the Lerner and Loewe score and lyrics. The latest news on the cast has Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan (P&P '05, Bleak House, An Education) as Eliza and Hugh Grant as Thompson's pick for Higgins. That's right ladies and gentlemen, we've reached the time that Hugh Grant is old enough to play Henry Higgins!

I think Mulligan is a fine choice for Eliza. She's one of my absolute favorite new (if you've just discovered her as America has) talents and I'd love to see her play both sides of Eliza seeing as until now she's been rather prim and proper. I have no idea if she can sing, but here's hoping.

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Grant as Higgins? Granted (haha) he is only Thompson's pick and there is no evidence that he's actually interested in the project, but doesn't he seem a tad inarticulate to play famed linguist Henry Higgins? I mean that's the schtick right? Bumbling but adorable (?) Hugh Grant. I don't know about this one. Enchanted Serenity has a list with its article of other possible Higgins including Daniel Craig, Colin Firth (role reversal from The King's Speech?), Hugh Jackman, Hugh Laurie (personal fave), Jeremy Northam etc. Who'da thunk we'd see the day when our favorite heroes mature into the role of Henry Higgins? Yes they are the right age, but Rex Harrison just seemed so much older than any of them ('sides maybe Hugh Laurie).  I only know that Hughes Jackman and Laurie can sing so...not that Higgins actually sings per se. Rex Harrison invented talk singing for My Fair Lady, so maybe I shouldn't rate them on musical ability...

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 And my opinion on the project in general? I'm leaning toward "cool!". I've always longed to see the original cast with Julie Andrews i.e. an Eliza that did her own singing. I love Audrey Hepburn to bits, but in My Fair Lady she just doesn't do it for me as much as her other contemporary works. She's too waify for Eliza and for that period. I'd be excited to see a new face and form take the role. As for Rex Harrison, loved him and he IS Higgins to me, but again, I'd be excited to see a new take. Don't think I've forgotten the mess that was made of The Music Man w/ Matthew Broderick, but here's hoping under Emma Thompson's keen eye this project will be a nice reinvention, not replacement for or blotch on the original. I'd also be excited to see a new take on the costumes. With so many iconic pieces (the flower girl dress, the ascot and ball dresses) I'd love to see them turned on their head.


As a child My Fair Lady was my stay home sick movie and the ending always confused me and my mother couldn't explain it to me. Were they in love? weren't they? What on earth happens after she comes back? ****SPOILERS****I was actually pondering Pygmalion this morning oddly enough and how if you read Shaw's epilogue he's very adamant that Eliza and Higgins are not in love and do not get together and that supposing they are and do is dumb and is insulting to Eliza. She marries Freddy and has a relatively unremarkable life as she supports Freddy and becomes a fixture in Higgins and Pickering's lives. What will Thompson do with this? My high school had Higgins and Eliza kiss at the end which gave my childhood a lot of closure, but looking back I agree with Shaw (who wrote it, so you should too). While My Fair Lady is excellent at leaving the end very ambiguous I wouldn't mind Thompson making up our minds for us, siding w/ Shaw and myself of course. 

W.E. trailer and American accents

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2921176601/

W.E. trailer! Looks absolutely stunning. The woman who plays Mrs. Simpson is English, but her American accent seems fine. I've found it interesting that when a British person doesn't do an American accent particularly well (David Tennant) it ends up sounding dated, like from the 30s or 40s, which is perfect for this movie. But Ms. Riseborough does a fine job from what I can see. She's just a waif of a thing and tall which makes her perfect for the clothes.

Speaking of bad American accents, I love David Tennant to bits, but he stinks at an American accent. In modern America it's just laughable.

But if we take it back about 80 years somehow it's ok...

And lest we forget that David Tennant is Scottish and a snappy dresser...(we'll talk about the show's he's on later).

The best American accenters? Hugh Laurie and Kate Winslet, hands down.

Mr. Darcy in review

I've got it into my head that I want to "review" the Mr. Darcies of our time from four main sources and by doing so perhaps start a series of Austen reviews. Of course one has to start with Darcy considering he is, I think with no contest, the most recognized and swooned over hero or character in Austen. This can be debated based on favorites, but as a whole Darcy is the man. We can debate the heroes later (I'm a Tilney gal myself, or Wentworth...or Knightley).

What are to be my Mr. Darcy sources? Pride and Prejudices 1995 (Colin firth), 2005 (Matthew Macfadyen), 2003 (yes, the Mormon one-Orlando Seale) and Lost in Austen 2008 (Elliot Cowan). I have not included the Greta Garbo/Lawrence Olivier P&P because I don't feel I've seen it recently enough to give a fair account. I have included Lost in Austen because it includes all the P&P characters, is I think, one of the best modern Austen interpretations and you can't just ignore Elliot Cowan's scrumptious Darcy.

And so, here we go, in a very particular order starting with none other than the reigning champion of Darciness, Academy Award Winner Colin Firth.

Firth is Darcy. I defy anyone to dispute this. Each Darcy has his special qualities that the others mightn't, but Firth is just Darcy all over. He's got the looks, the height, the hair and the glances and stares. Who doesn't get giddy when Elizabeth goes to turn Georgiana's pages and Darcy looks at her so perfectly? We all pine to be looked at like that.

yup, like this

And of course we can't forget The Lake. I recently watched this version over Thanksgiving and was with quite a throng of 15-30 year olds who  all lost it when the music swelled and Darcy busted through the woods.

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As for horse riding, Firth is pretty great and as far as I can tell does all his own horse work. Also, he fences. FENCES! When Elizabeth finds out about Lydia he's so concerned and takes her hand. Ug! He's just so Darcy. I don't really know what else to say! As costumes go he's one of my favorites, second only to a Darcy that's yet to be discussed. Favorite? His green coat with green patterned waistcoat, although I have seen his formal "tux" in person. Yup, jealous?

 

He only smiles once, and they only kiss once (the only part of Elizabeth and Darcy's stroll at the end I'd change), but both smile and kiss are worth it. Oh Mr. Firth.

Ok, so I have a rather hard time picking my second favorite Darcy, between Macfadyen and Cowan. I don't like Macfadyen's face as well as Cowan's, but I love Macfadyen's beefiness, which isn't to say I don't absolutely adore Cowan's cutness (saw him in Macbeth at the Globe, he is cut)...Which to pick next?! I'd say it's a tie but that will never do. Ok ok ok, don't kill me for picking a Darcy that isn't in the real narrative but...

Elliot Cowan comes in second. I know, I know, Lost in Austen isn't a true telling of P&P and therefore we miss some of Darcy's best Austen written lines, but Cowan explores a completely new take on Darcy and I think successfully so. Also, even though I abhor both of their hair compared to Firth and Seale, I despise Cowan's less. Cowan has his great glances at Amanda and has his own lake scene. Granted there isn't the emotional build up to it like Firth's but in this conversation we return to Cowan's cutness. So so cut, such a thick waist (truth be told Firth is a bit slim for me...). Cowan's voice I like much better than Macfadyen's. True story: the only thing that triggered any recollection of Cowan from Lost in Austen (which I saw about 18 months prior) when I saw Macbeth was his voice and absolutely square jaw.

not the best quality, but I had to take it myself from Netflix to show how absolutely defined and thick he is

Cowan is much more grumbly and scowly than any other Darcy, but he's oh so soft when he needs to be. I didn't like some of his coats, mostly his double breasted ones, mainly his burgundy which is cut too high and shows so much waistcoat. Cowan also has an amazing riding coat (not as great at Macfadyen's). And of course you get the end of the movie smile...sort of.

Now, Matthew Macfadyen. Truth be told I'm not wild about this version in general. The cinematography is stunning, as is the attention to detail in costuming, but the hair and make up was just too distracting, and I don't care for Keira Knightley. However, Macfadyen's own brand of Darcy does redeem it on some counts. Macfadyen plays Darcy as a shy and awkward guy that's rather reluctant to be in society. He'd rather stay home because it's not the less refined he particularly despises, but just having to talk to strangers in general (watch Macfadyen's interview on the DVD).

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His hair is terrible. It just hangs there during the proposal (Darcy should have curly hair!). Macfadyen's main draw for me is his incredible breadth and broadness. He's so large, and we all know I have a thing for beefy men (or you know now).

The above photo shows one of my favorite little moments in the film, next Darcy turns around and almost elbows Collins. Also from this scene we see how broad his shoulders are and how thick his waist is and, look at the cut of his coat! SO fantastic.

Which leads me to another point: I like Macfadyen's costumes the best, probably because I prefer the  late 18th century coats more than the double breasted of the later period that the others are set in. His colors are also fresher by the end and go through a very nice palette transformation. AND he's got the best riding coat that billows so greatly in Macfadyen's immense amount of horse riding (although I think they used a stunt double for some of the more rigorous riding, think during Darcy's letter). And lest we forget Darcy's mist scene, this version's answer to The Lake Scene.

thick waist, billowy riding coat

And of course Macfadyen smiles so nicely.

And lastly, Orlando Seale, who is modern Darcy. He's got the accent and the hair and the attitude and some very endearing parts, but he's a rather petite man and you just can't beat the costumes.

Maybe the best hair, which is a miracle considering the rest of the hair in this film is a disaster.

And he smiles.

Mr. Knightley in Review