2 out of 3 done

[fahye]

I HATE EVERYTHING

I'm going to watch North & South for a while before staring gloomily at my notes again.

Why can't I just -- know things.

UGH

Comments

[themis.livejournal.com]

We-ell, it has been some time since I watched the miniseries but I think I had issues with Daniela Denby-Ashe/Margaret. I didn't like the way they developed her at all, which was odd because I read the book and Margaret is such a strong character! Even when I wanted to smack her for her classism (which they don't fix in either version despite the amount of times Gaskell throws around "socialism", so thanks for that, Victorians) I still found her interesting and complex. In the series, I never really got a handle on her character . . . or at least, she seemed very small. And so bourgeois. Aaaach. So as a focal point for a miniseries, I didn't find the interpretation of the character very successful. Maybe if they'd cast Gina McKee it would have worked better.

I DID really like Anna Maxwell-Martin, maybe even more than I like Bessy in the book. I think the miniseries downplayed religion, which is extremely important in the novel (esp. for Bessy) because I don't remember anything except that they kept her father's change of calling in there. Um, and I think Sinead Cusack was good. But, seriously, AMM and SC are both AMAZING actresses, so of course they will do well. Like I said, it's been a few years so my memory is fuzzy but I do remember being "eh" on the miniseries (even though I am always up for class conflict + strikes + Northern accents). Even though ideologically/politically/socially I had huge problems with the book, I respected it more and enjoyed it more.

PS here (http://themis.livejournal.com/299360.html) is my original reaction. Yay, tags!

[fahye.livejournal.com]

I think Sinead Cusack is one of my favourite things about the miniseries, yes, she does such a wonderful portrayal of Mrs Thornton -- sympathetic and admirable and hard-as-nails.