The Golden Bowl

The Golden Bowl (2000)

Director: James Ivory

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Anjelica Houston, Nick Nolte, Jeremy Northam, and Uma Thurman

Description: Adam Verver, a US billionaire in London, dotes on daughter Maggie, an innocent abroad. An impecunious Italian, Prince Amerigo, marries her even though her best friend, Charlotte Stant, an alabaster beauty with brains, no money, and a practical and romantic nature, is his lover. She and Amerigo keep it secret from Maggie that they know each other, so Maggie interests her widowed father in Charlotte, who is happy with the match because she wants to be close to Amerigo. Charlotte desires him, the lovers risk discovery, Amerigo longs for Italy, Maggie wants to spare her father pain, and Adam wants to return to America to build a museum. Amidst lies and artifice, what fate awaits adulterers?

Review: This is the first time I've seen the movie from beginning to end. Now that I've seen the whole thing, I really like it more. I really dislike the character of Amerigo. He just seems like such scum. I feel bad for his wife, Maggie. This Merchant/Ivory production is somewhat different, to me, than their other productions. It just had a different feel. I did like how they shot the footage at the end to look like it was archival images. The acting was done well and overall I liked the movie.

Score: 3.5 out of 5

Book Connection: The favorable case asserts that the novel is a superb dramatization of the stresses inherent in any marriage and the sometimes circuitous methods required to overcome them. James' presentation of Maggie's subdued but desperate struggle is much admired for its insight and precision. The dialogue is often brilliant in its delicate indirection, and many scenes are realized with the full impact of James' most mature technique.

The Golden Bowl by Henry James (1904)

Emma

Emma (1996) (TV)

Director: Diarmuid Lawrence

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Mark Strong, Samantha Bond, and Samantha Morton

Description: Emma Woodhouse has a rigid sense of propriety as regards matrimonial alliances. Unfortunately she insists on matchmaking for her less forceful friend, Harriet, and so causes her to come to grief. Through the sharp words of Mr. Knightley, and the example of the opinionated Mrs. Elton, someone not unlike herself, Emma's attitudes begin to soften.

Review: I was curious to see the BBC version of this story. I have to say I was rather disappointed. There seemed to be little to no chemistry between Beckinsale and Strong. After watching the movie, I am curious as to why Emma and Mr. Knightly loved each other. Knightly is barking at everyone the entire movie. Its really hard to see why anyone would like him (perhaps his huge fortune). If the casting were different, it might have saved the production. I would rather watch the Hollywood version of this story.

Score: 2.5 out of 5

Book Connections: One of the many film adaptations of Jane Austen's novel Emma. This book was somewhat difficult for me to get into. I didn't find it as enjoyable as her other novels. I did get it on audio book and perhaps I will enjoy that better than reading it for myself.

Emma by Jane Austen (1816)

North & South

North & South (2004)

Director: Brian Percival

Starring: Daniela Denby-Ashe, Richard Armitage, Tim Pigott-Smith, and Sinead Cusack

Description: This series operates on many levels. At the heart of the series is the tempestuous relationship between Margaret Hale, a young woman from a southern middle class family who finds herself uprooted to the north, and John Thornton, a formerly poverty-stricken cotton mill owner terrified of losing the viability of his business. Around them are class struggles between the workers and mill owners and ideological struggles between the industrial North and the agrarian South. After moving North, Margaret's father befriends his student Mr. Thornton. Margaret has already formed her opinion of Mr. Thornton independently after seeing him treat his workers harshly. As the series progresses, she and we the audience begin to learn that his strict treatment is due to an overarching concern for his mill and by extension, his employees. John Thornton, on the other hand, is attracted to Margaret's independence and position in society as a well-educated Southerner. As in "Pride and Prejudice" the marriage proposal comes in the middle of the series and is rejected by Margaret. Contrary to "Pride and Prejudice" it is mirrored in social upheaval as the entire town is brought to its knees by a strike. The latter half of the series is an unraveling of the former misunderstandings ending in a romantic reconciliation which is again mirrored by reconciliation between workers and mill owners.

Review: I was completely blown away by this production. I am left with such emotion after watching this. The actors did such a wonderful job at bringing these characters to life. I felt like I was right there with them during the story and hoping things would turn out better. The cinematography was wonderful as well. Everything looked beautiful... even the dirty Milton. I highly recommend that anyone see this movie.

Score: 5 out of 5

Book Connections: This production was based off of the book of the same name by Elizabeth Gaskell. I confess that I had not heard of this book, but now after seeing this movie I feel that I need to get myself a copy of this book. Uptdate: I have now read the book and absolutely love it. For a full review, click here.

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (1855)

The Way We Live Now

The Way We Live Now (2001)(Mini)

Director: David Yates

Starring: David Suchet, Matthew MacFadyen, Shirley Henderson, Paloma Baeza, Cillian Murphy, and Miranda Otto.

Description: At the centre of the story is Augustus Melmotte (David Suchet), a European-born city financier, whose origins are as mysterious as his business dealings. Trollope describes him as 'something in the city', but the "something" part is not always clear. Within weeks of arriving in London, he announces a new company and promises instant fortune to those who join him in this scheme. Melmotte is surrounded by a circle of decadent aristos, scheming widows and nouveau riche businessmen, all trying to get a piece of the financial pie. His disobedient daughter, Marie, is played by Shirley Henderson, while Cheryl Campbell, Matthew Macfadyen and Paloma Baeza bring to life the aristocratic but impoverished Carbury family.

Review: What an outstanding production. This was a very good costume drama. The acting was very well. David Suchet was outstanding. I already love him as Poirot, but he was just excellent as Mellmotte. I found Matthew MacFadyen to be so alive. He seems so stiff in some other roles, but here he was outstanding. The rest of the cast just made this movie so fun to watch. I also waneted to check this movie out to see what kind of director David Yates was. I found the production so delightful that I can't wait to see what he does to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Overall, this is a mini-series to see.

Score: 5 out of 5

Book Connections: This mini-series was based off of the novel of the same title by Anthony Trollope. I had no experience with this novel, but I find that I am definitely intrigued by it and will have to check it out. From reviews I have read it appears that this production stayed close to the book, but I will have to judge that for myself.


The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope (1875)