Review: North and South

Every once in a while I have to be pushed towards my luck. My best friend has been telling me about ‘North and South’ for quite a while and every single time I thought of it as another (lesser) version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’. Both stories are set in 19th century England, both tell of misunderstandings and the trouble of finding true love. And because of how highly I regard ‘Pride and Prejudice’ (the 1995 version of course) I didn’t even want to give ‘North and South’ a chance.

But then I saw ‘The Hobbit’ and was pretty impressed by its lead dwarf Thorin Oakenshield played by Richard Armitage. And since I was already feeling a little bit homesick to England I figured I might as well go ahead and finally bought that BBC Miniseries he was in and that I heard so much about – just had to make sure not to buy the US-show with the same name that has Patrick Swayze and El Wood’s dad fighting each other in the US civil war.

BBC ‘North & South’ is based on the book written by Elizabeth Gaskell. It takes place around 1850 and at this time the industrial revolution was in full swing in the north while the south of England was still very much centred around agriculture. After living 10 years in London with her cousin, Margret Hale (Daniela Denby-Ashe) returns happily to the southern town of Helstone where her father is the local pastor. Because he disagreed with the church he tells his family that he decided to leave the church and become a tutor. He has a friend in the north that supports him in the move so the whole family is leaving the quiet south in order to move to the industrial north – to the fictional town of Milton. Upon arrival Margret meets the harsh reality of industrialization and how it changes the way of living – she also meets John Thornton…queue handsome Richard Armitage. John becomes a pupil of Margret’s father while Margret through her friendship with the factory workers becomes more involved in the social movement that is led by Nicholas Higgins (Downton Abbey Alum Brendan Coyle). Through the course of the story, Margret and John become more and more acquainted with each other but before the happy ending, a lot of things happen.

With the two leads disliking each other at first, a proposal that is too early and the knowledge that the two leads will end up with each other in the end one can easily start to compare it to Pride & Prejudice. But this is pretty much where the comparison ends. Jane Austen was mainly occupied with detailing the live on the country and describing the balls the people went to. Elizabeth Gaskell goes further and allows the reader / viewer to really get to know what life back then meant for workers in the mills but also what this change meant to society. John Thornton came from a poor background working his way up to being a mill owner – the only way people earned money in Jane Austen novels was through the death of a relative. Now before anybody thinks I am suddenly dissing the Great Austen…no way! ‘Pride & Prejudice’ is still one of the greatest love stories ever written but I have to say in comparison ‘North and South’ is just a tad more challenging and even educating. While John Thornton shows Margret what it means to have responsibility for workers and being the maker of his own destiny. Margret on the other hand becomes friendly with the workers and shows John that a social note is sometimes helpful to get ahead. In the end both people grow and learn from each others strengths and weaknesses.

And when it comes to brooding – Heathcliff got nothing on Richard Armitage. He tries really hard to be all mean and uninterested but once he says very quietly ‘Look back at me’ I can’t imagine any women not sitting there, sighing in desperation that it’s not them he asks to turn around. Armitage is able to let his emotions speak through his eyes without saying a thing. I am so happy he finally gets some much-needed international recognition through ‘The Hobbit’. Daniela Denby-Ashe is a revelation as Margret – sensitive and strong though I pity her for those corsets she had to wear throughout the movie. Together, they make a couple that can rival Lizzy and Mr. Darcy and though I never thought I would say this – but I believe I like ‘North and South’ as much as I love ‘Pride & Prejudice’…maybe even more? I think I will have to watch it all just once again 😉

Review: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

In the run-up of this years Oscar race I was very surprised to learn that Gary Oldman has never been nominated before – not for Leon, not for “True Romance” and not for “Sid and Nancy”. I could probably go on and on about all the roles that Oldman made his own and made great but somehow got always overlooked by the academy.

Therefore I was even more intrigued by his latest movie “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” because it finally gave Gary Oldman the recognition he so deserved. But even though it is his movie, the call sheet reads like a who is who of current british film: Ciaran Hindes, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Strong, Tom Hardy, Toby Jones and John Hurt. It is therefore surprising to see that the movie is directed (quite marvelously) by the rather unknown Thomas Alfredson who only recently shot into the spot light with his movie “Let the right one in”.

The story is based on the famous novel by John Le Carre by the same name and tells the search for the mole within the MI6 during the hight of the cold war. Smiley (Oldman) is called back into action, trying to find the mole within his own ranks with 4 people (Hinds, Firth, Jones, Dencik) in the closer range. He is supported by the Guillam (Cumberbatch) in his search. While the plot develops we learn a lot about the different men and by the end of the movie nearly every one of them gets their heart broken.

It is a quiet movie but even though the action is somehow missing you feel drenched in adrenaline and sitting on the edge of the seat by the end of the movie. It is also a movie you want to go back and revisit – I certainly have to because I am sure I didn’t get everything that went on. I also want to go back and cherish the amazing range of acting skills on display. Gary Oldman fully deserves his Oscar nomination but the rest of the cast shouldn’t go unnoticed and everybody up to the smallest role (cue Christian McKay) does an amazing job. The whole cast seems to blend perfectly in with each other creating this great group of people. Interestingly though he seems so much older and wiser than the rest of the cast, Gary Oldman is only 2 years older than Colin Firth and 5 years younger than Ciaran Hinds but he still seems closer to John Hurt than the rest of the group.

As I said before all of those strong men get their hearts broken in the course of this movie and every time it happens, you can feel your own heart breaking with it. You will know what I am talking about, when you see the movie but as a hint: watch out for Guillam making the hardest decision of his life and Prideaux shedding just one tear.

All I can say is go watch this movie, if nothing else this movie portrays some of the finest acting by some of the best actors of our time!

Review: A single Man

There are movies that you hear so much talk about and read so many reviews or articles about that by the time you watch it there is no space left for your own opinion but it is rather filled by what you have heard about the movie. When then even people who usually don’t watch many movies rave about it the same way most of respected critics rave about it, I usually fear that I will somehow not like this movie anymore. This happened for Tom Ford’s movie “A single man” – I seriously feared that from all this amazing stuff I hear about it (not one bad review) I will not like it. But I am relieved to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was one of the most stylish and best acted movies in a long while. Though Tom Ford’s directing wasn’t without fault – there were some frames that seemed out-of-place and felt like a “this-is-an-art-movie-frame” to me – he clearly pushed his leads to new heights. Of course Colin Firth (or Mr. Darcy to the rest of the female-world) has long-established a place in my heart as not only a great actor and as Mr. Mark Darcy himself but also as someone who still hasn’t reached the pinnacle of his career. And seeing him here so fearless and brave as a man who is willing to mourn the loss of the love of his life was at another level of most of his work before. That Julianne Moore still hasn’t won a single Academy for her work is an impertinence beyond belief as I stated before. She ones again outshines anything on-screen and brings every single feeling her character possesses alive on-screen. Watching Nicholas Hoult all grown up and hitting on Colin Farrell seems a little bit disconcerting simply because it only feels a summer ago that he was the little kid stealing every scene from Hugh Grant in “About a boy” but he doesn’t sell short and easily holds himself against the other amazing actors. For anybody wanting to see top-notch acting this is a must! For anybody who doesn’t think highly of fashion designers this is a must! Tom Ford easily puts long time directors at bay with this extraordinary masterpiece and I am very much looking forward to his sophomore film! And for anybody who likes to adore the 60’s in all their fashion glory – this is a total must see!

Trailerwatch: Tinker Tailer Soldier Spy

Now this is a movie worth looking forward to! With a cast that is probably one of the best, UK, Ireland & USA can offer at the moment Studio Canal released a first proper trailer for their new movie “Tinker Tailer Soldier Spy” based on a John Le Carre’s novel.

The cast includes Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Toby Jones, Benedict Cumberbatch, John Hurt, Ciarán Hinds, Mark Strong and Stephen Graham. Can’t wait!!

Trailerwatch: Main Street

So another trailer for a sweet little indie movie that probably won’t break the bank but seems very enjoyable. Check out Main Street, the tale of a southern city where one man tries (or does he) do some good.

A movie that has Patricia Clarkson, Ellen Burstyn, Colin Firth and Legolas..I mean Orlando Bloom in it just seem fine for me!

Weekend Comfort Food: Pride & Prejudice

Having recently discussed Bridget Jones as one of my all time favourites of course I need to talk about Pride & Prejudice; because Bridget Jones is a plain (and open) copy of the story of Eliza Bennet and her Mr. Darcy.

When checking on IMDB I found at least 8 exact matches and further 8 partial matches. Most recently there was the Oscar nominated movie by the excellent Joe Wright (Hannah, Atonement) and with Keira Knightly in the lead role (who I simply don’t find a good actress apart from Atonement) but even though this movie might be good and the Academy Award nominations rightfully received for me it is nothing but a bland, short something that doesn’t come close to the 1995 BBC Mini TV Series. Here the leads are played by Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.

In this mini series you have this rare occasion where the film matches the book in beauty, wit, quality and eloquence. For me the love and respect with which the film was made is nearly touchable so maybe British classics should always been made by Brits? No doesn’t work – Ang Lee did an amazing job with Sense and Sensibility.

Jennifer Ehle gives THE perfect Lizzie Bennet – not over the top pretty and more independent than is known from women of that age and maybe has some of Jane Austens own qualities within her. Her sister Jane is maybe not as pretty as present standards would like her to be but I believe the producers chose Susannah Harker because she looks more like a classic beauty (and a bit like Austen’s own sister Cassandra from my point of view).

So how come an old story turned into a movie with barely more than a smile to indicate feelings is such a super hit (and catapulting Colin Firth into international stardom)? I am not sure but for me it’s the quality of the acting and setting as well as the richness of the story that sets it apart. And watching Colin Firth jump into that lake just makes you wonder why it took him so long to become so famous.

But watching Pride and Prejudice is not all eye candy – it also makes you wonder how anybody could have been happy at that time because after all marriage was there for monetary reasons solely and only maybe you were lucky to find someone to actually like. Just look at Jane Austen who refused to marry purely because of reason and safety – though being an independent woman in those days was not something to aspire to. But is this really so different to today? Being single I know how you are looked at when once again you turn up at a family party without a “better” half, ready-made meals are rarely for the single tummy and don’t get me started on taxes. So all in all our present society might not be that far away from 19^th century England – a women should marry in order to find her place in society and “a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife”. And just like all those chick flicks “Pride and Prejudice” reminds us that over the centuries women have always fought for respect and love – just know that you might end up with Mr. Wickham instead of Mr. Darcy!

 

 

Review: True Grit

The motivation for watching this movie was plainly based on the 10 Oscar nominations it received – everything else on this movie (remake, western, Coen Brothers) usually doesn’t tickle my fancy. So when I found it was playing my local cute cinema I figured I might as well watch it. And I admit that I am glad I watched it – a great movie with gorgeous landscapes and astonishing acting. Though I have to say I was very glad for subtitles – Jeff Bridges was nearly as hard to understand as Brad Pitt in “Snatch”.

“True Grit” is actually a remake of a John Wayne classic – and the only one for which he won an Acting Oscar. So with a fresh win under his belt, Jeff Bridges seemed perfectly fitted for this role and he sure delivered. Grumbling and sarcastic but eventually caring and a true hero he just seems like a bit unfriendly teddy bear that you just want to hug (once he had a shower maybe…). You can see Matt Damon here in a different role to his usual aver Jo’s: a bit creepy and rather disagreeable. But also here in the end he turns out to be quite a nice guy.

But the real act is done by Hailee Steinfeld playing Mattie Ross who just like Mr. Bridges received an Oscar nomination – both lost eventually to Mr. Darcy .. I mean Colin Firth and Melissa Leo respectively. But Hailee Steinfeld shows such maturity and drive you can’t believe she is only 14 (and also is only playing a 14-year-old). But you believe that in those times (late 19^th century) , even children were forced to act beyond their age. Mattie wants to revenge the death of her father and asks Rooster Cogburn (Mr. Bridges for help) which he only reluctantly agrees to. Thinking about it, he doesn’t even agree to it – she pretty much forces herself upon him. Along the way they meet LaBoeuf (without a yellow Camaro named Bumblebee) who brags about being a great shooter which in due curse he can prove.

For me the story wasn’t so much about if she can revenge her father but how the 2 totally different characters are working off and finally with each other. And along the way we can see some beautiful countryside. But I still remain true to my initial opinion about the Coen Brothers – that their movies just don’t do it for me. True Grit is an amazing movie to watch with great acting but in the end you feel a bit like on a day long trail ride: worn out, tired, ready for bed but glad you went through it though unsure about doing it another time.

Bridget Jones

I have a friend that sometimes calls me her personal “Bridget Jones”. This results from 2 facts: I’ve had my fair share of unlucky love affairs (sure what girl didn’t) but more importantly just like one of my most favourite heroine I manage to say the exact wrong things at the exactly wrong time mostly in front of guys I’d rather like to impress. This then leads to long distance phone calls to my friend who tries to tell me it’s ok but also confesses that these stories make her laugh out loud. I guess laughing always helps and looking back trying to make small talk with a cute guy at the office while spilling water all over my front is funny!

And because there are a lot of girls like me out there, with humiliating experiences, overbearing mothers (mine actually is pretty cool though has her moments as moms are supposed to) and unlucky love life – Bridget Jones comes to our rescue to remind us that even in the worst moments you just might find your Mr. Darcy.

It tells the story of a 30 something singleton living in London trying to figure out how to lead a satisfying life while being constantly reminded of what she her life is supposed to look life by her mother, her so-called friends and society in general. She receives comfort from her best friends that are always there to support her with good advice and vodka en masses. And of course along comes a handsome charming man who is awfully wrong for her – and of course Bridget thinks the opposite. It takes a whole 90 min for her to find out that the guy she thinks is right for her in fact is “a stupid wanker” (a quote from another protagonist…) and the guy she doesn’t like in the beginning turns out to be Mr Right (or Mr Darcy to be precise). If someone finds the name Mr. Darcy or the plot somehow quite familiar than it is because it IS quite familiar. After all Helen Fielding “stole” openly plot and names from the famous novel “Pride & Prejudice” by Jane Austen. And she even managed to secure the role of Marc Darcy to be played by an actor that in the mind of millions of women is the one and only Mr. Darcy – Colin Firth. Why the director and writer chose a Texan to play a British girl is beyond me though I have to give credit to Renee Zellweger as she did a pretty good job. Topping strange casting choices off – they chose Hugh Grant totally against his usual dopey cutesy roles – though I believe this role to be closer to his true nature than any before (even the writer said so).

I won’t take much surprise away when I say that the movie does have a happy ending! It is portraying the single life of women around 30 with all its ups (meeting sexy men) and downs (having loads of smug married couples questioning ones chances of motherhood) quite perfectly. My most favourite scene of the whole movie is when they eat (well more trying to) the dinner Bridget has cooked in celebration of her interview. It just feels real and warm and you realize that even if there isn’t a handsome barrister madly in love with you out there just now, you still have those great friends around you that take care of you.

So even though “Bridget Jones” is filled with stereotypes that sometimes are over the top and you wish our heroine just a bit more common sense when it comes to her dress sense but in the end it is a story about a regular girl whose life was a bit enhanced for cinematic reasons.