(no subject)

[caz963]

I haven't got a lot of time for telly watching, which is probably just as well considering that most of what's on isn't worth watching, but over the weekend, Elinor asked if we could re-watch Little Dorrit. We'd watched it before Christmas and I bought the DVD set when it came out, but hadn't watched it yet.

So we happily settled down to re-watching one of those star-studded adaptations that the Beeb does so well.

I enjoyed it over again - despite the fact that there were a few unexplained plot-holes and a major plot change at the end. I'm not a tyrannical purist when it comes to adaptations - I like them to be pretty true to the book, but recognise that sometimes things have to be changed for dramatic emphasis and things like that.

But what really struck me was the utter magnificence of Tom Courtenay's portrayal of William Dorrit. The whole cast was superb, of course, but he was truly outstanding. He caught every nuance of the character, the childish petulance, the snobbery... all of it was simply wonderful. I thought Claire Foy was very good as Amy - and I "noticed" Matthew MacFadyen more this time around. He's done a lot, I know, and has been very good in everything I've seen him in, but what I really noticed on a rewatch was this incredible ability he has to just... be still, for want of a better expression. I imagine Arthur Clenham must be a difficult character to portray, because he's... well, pretty ordinary, really, and in danger of being boring, as the 'good' characters often are. I haven't seen him as Darcy in the recent Pride and Prejudice, because I can't stand Keira Knightly, but I might just have to give it a go now :-)

I think I need to dig out all the other costume drama vids and DVDs I have. Elinor seems to like them, and she'll have fun spotting all the thesps she's seen in other things. I was thinking of starting with David Copperfield next weekend.

Comments

[flippet.livejournal.com]

Matthew MacFadyen was the only reason I wanted to watch the new P&P. I was all 'why bother, when A&E already did the definitive version...wait--MacFadyen's Darcy? Well alright, then!'

Now, I'm completely spoiled by Colin and Jennifer. And the A&E version is the version, and you'll never convince me differently. But as I recall, there were some decent things about the new version. Two hours simply isn't enough to tell the story, so that's annoying. The 'realism' (dirt, etc) was an interesting take on things.

To be honest, I can't remember how well Matthew actually did. But the fact that I don't recall it sucking means he probably did pretty well. (I just can't see Donald Sutherland in any kind of 'nice' role, though...he's done too many baddies far too well.)

[caz963.livejournal.com]

I'm an afficionado of the BBC version, too - Colin Firth is Darcy, and there really isn't anyone else who comes close... apart from Laurence Olivier in the 1940 movie!