Sink me, weaknesses and others

In our family we have the tendancy to spot out what people's as-we-call-it "words" are. Haven't you noticed that quite a few people have a word or a phrase they keep on saying? Many teenagers nowadays say 'like' far too much, but there are some people who have their own unique phrase they keep on accidentally repeating. Even people in the blogging world have their "words", I've observed. But I shan't go into that now. :) I also like giving my characters in my stories a particular word or phrase they keep on repeating. I love it when my readers go 'oh, their she/he goes again!'

 

Now I shall have a see at the Period Drama people, and their 'words'.

 

Sink Me!

 

Although I haven't seen the Scarlet Pimpernel, I know enough to know that this charming, sophisticated man keeps on saying, 'Sink mehhhhh'. Not 'Sink me', but 'Sink mehhhh.' He's got a charming accent, this fella has.

 

 

My ONE weakness

 

Dorcas Lane with her many weaknesses! How many times do we hear her drooling on about her weaknesses? Food is my one weakness, baths are my one weakness, picnics are my one weakness, velvet is my one weakness... the list goes on and on!

 

 

Beaux

 

I'm sure the ones of you who've watched Sense and Sensibility 2008 have noticed that Anne Steel has a 'word'. Indeed! You've all noticed how she keeps on going on about 'beaux.'

 

 

My poor nerves

 

I've got to add Mrs Bennet with those unending nerves! Nerves this, nerves that. 'Oh, Mr Bennet! You do not know what I suffer! Have you no compassion upon my POOR nerves?' No, I don't have that much compassion, but I must admit I think it's very funny the way she keeps on screeching about those nerves of hers. 'But then I never complain.'

 

 

Mr E.

 

Mrs Elton in 'Emma' (especially the Mrs Elton in the Kate Beckinsale version, that's why I've put a picture of that one) calls her husband Mr E, and says it a lot!

 

 

Monstrous

 

Especially in the book, Sir John Middleton and his merry mother, Mrs Jennings, very often use the word monstrous to describe things. Oh, good things. For example, they describe Marianne and Elinor as 'monstrous pretty girls.'

 

 

What-ho!

 

Ha! I love the way Wooster keeps on saying What-ho instead of hello or Good-morning! Watching the show makes you want to do exactly the same, I tell you. At home we often go around saying what-ho, just because it's such fun to say. Jeeves also has a 'word', which is 'sir', but that hardly counts as one, don't you think?

 

 

Fiddlesticks

 

In the film, Marilla Cuthbert doesn't say 'Fiddlesticks' half as much as she does in the book! The first time she says it is when Anne complains that Cordelia is a far more romantic name than Anne. "Romantic Fiddlesticks!"

 

 

Everything's going to be all right

 

In our family we always joke about the vast amount of times Charles Ingalls, or Pa, says 'Everything's going to be all right,' or 'everything's going to be just fine.' He always says it to comfort one of his daughters or Caroline when they are in the midst of problems. He always says it in the TV shows! I wonder if you've noticed.

 

 

Septimus...

Yes, and Lady Ludlow with her Septimus this, Septimus that.

 

 

I'm sure I could think of more, but now that's all I can think of. Are their any others which come to mind if you think about Period Drama people and their 'words' (or phrases)? Comment and tell me!

 

 

Sense and Sensibility 2008 ~ Review

Oh my goodness. It was so, so good. It was such a splendid movie, and I was so surprised, enjoying it so much. I had thought, before watching it, that the actors would be dull and insipid next to those splendid ones in the Emma Thompson version. In fact, I was perfectly certain I would find it a great deal less entertaining than the 1996 version.

But I was wrong. I loved it as much. As much. Perhaps even more. Yep, even more. Which says a vast deal indeed, for I am a very big fan of the Emma Thompson version.

All right, I'll admit it. This chap is the reason I wanted to watch it. Dan Stevens acts Matthew Crawley and now Dan Stevens acts Edward Ferras, a Jane Austen hero. I had to see that. He's my favourite actor, for goodness sake.
 

And oh me, I am SO glad I did, for he was absolutely brilliant. Sure, Hugh Grant was very good, and very kind and shy and I liked him, but I never really loved him. Something lacked with Hugh Grant in his performance. Dan Stevens was just so good as an Austen hero. I was so surprised! He was so... gorgeous!

I just LOVED him. He was just like Edward Ferras in the book, just like he should have been. Really, perfect. I felt so sorry for him, the only nice person in such an horrendous family- obviously his father was like him, and he the only one resembling him. Imagine having a mother such as his! A sister such as his! A brother such as his! I felt so sorry for him, I wanted to run over and give him a big hug.

Need I say more? THAT SMILE. Enough, Naomi.

 

He isn't as shy as Hugh Grants performance and I like that- skips all those awkward silences and squirming moments, which I don't particularly like. He smiled more than Hugh, and he just was, to be blunt, more like I feel Edward should be. And so kind, he's so kind. So considerate. Eeek, I'm in love.

The only thing I have to point out is that his hair needs a good cut. It's all floppy and bushy.

 

But still, he was amazing. Dan Stevens really hit the nail on the head. Seriously, just perfect. A new favourite hero which made me fall head over heels in love. Bravo. I could watch the Edward scenes all over again right now.

 

I'm sorry, but even though this picture has nothing whatsoever to do with S&S I had to add it. I found it and I squealed because this gif is just too charming for words. Oh my word.

 The funny thing was that Eleanor sounded like Mary Crawley- she had a beautiful, rich, ripe voice which I just loved.

 

Again, here the only issue I have about Eleanor was the hair. Those flat, long bangs just look too modern. Period.
 

But for the rest, I just adored her. I am really sorry to tell you folks this, but I actually preferred her performance above Emma Thompson's. Wait! Before you start bawling, please listen to my explanation.

Firstly, Hattie looked the right age. Seriously, Emma Thompson was too old for her role, because Eleanor is nineteen and not twenty-seven. Hattie looked nineteen, she was pretty and just like Eleanor should be. Sensible, but fun.

Don't kill me readers, but I thought Emma Thompson's Eleanor wasn't really... fun. She was so sensible I really wanted her to do something silly so that I could see the reaction on her face. She was so good that it almost made me uncomfortable. Not as badly as Elsie Dinsmore, of course, but still, on that path.

Hattie's Eleanor was sensible but fun. For example, when she beat the carpet with the carpet beater extra hard in frustration. That showed you she was a real person. And when Marianne asked her if she was engaged to Edward and Margaret said 'Me too' from the tree, she shook her head laughingly. I loved her very much indeed.

 

 

Oh my goodness, I just loved the Edward-Eleanor scenes. They were just so sweet and modestly romantic. I just loved the way Edward came up and said, 'Beating carpets?' and then, 'Would you like me to help you?' He's such a gentleman.

And I just LOVE the way he leans on the swing rope and looks at Eleanor. Oh dear, this is just perfect.

 

And the proposal... the proposal. Oh, THE PROPOSAL.

'Can you forgive me?'
'Can you love me?'
'Will you marry me?'

Those three questions, so assuredly asked... ooh, it was just so sweet. So stinking sweet. And then she went over and gave him a big hug. I just love that- girl rushing up for a long hug is better than girl walking as slowly as a snail, staring in his eyes and slowly, sllllooowly kissing him. (Like Marianne and the wretched Mr W did.)

And the kiss... oh, suffice to say I loved it.

 

 Her giggles were a trifle weird, but it just added to the real joy and happy, joyful outburst. I have never been excessively fond of Emma Thompson's everlasting sobs. I love the proposal scene with Emma and Hugh, but this one, I must say, was more to my liking.

So, long story short, I adored Eleanor and Edward so much I could go on and on gushing about their adorable relationship, conversations and looks. I thought they were simply, smashingly perfect and find it heart-warming merely to look at them. I love you Eleanor and Edward and I wish you were real. Jane Austen is amazing.
 

 

Margaret was sweet. I love the 1996 Margaret, but I believe I liked this one as much, if not better. They were similar, both tomboyish, hiding in libraries and climbing trees. I think Andrew Davies stole quite a few things, including hiding Margaret in the library and having the same sort of windows in both Clevelands. :)

I wish at least one version had stuck to the book, though. In the book Margaret is thirteen, passionate, romantic and acts far more grown up. But this Margaret is closer to the book than the other one, so I prefer her.
 

But in any case, I loved Margaret- she was great fun, as usual, always making silly remarks such as, 'If you like it so much, you can go and live there, Fanny, and we will stay in Noorland.' Tell her, Margaret, tell her.

 

But where was the F scene? F-major and all that. I wanted Margaret to come up and tell Miss Jennings that Eleanor has a suitor and 'his name starts with an F.' But they skipped it. Really. My favourite scene.

 

They also skipped the 'Like him! Esteem him! Use those insipid words once again and I shall leave the room this instant!' bit. They had Eleanor say 'I like him' but no Marianne thunderstorm after it.

 

 

 

I must say, I was not pleased with Marianne. Kate Winslet remains Marianne. Kate Winslet was graceful, beautiful, pleasant and completely passionate about everything. Sure, she cried a lot, but that's just how Marianne should be.

This Marianne was, to start with, not beautiful. Not even pretty. Plus, she was whiny and always complained. Nope, give me Kate Winslet.

But, I must say her bun is really pretty, and her hair didn't look like a wig. But then she wore it loose sometimes in public. People!!! Seriously!

 

Colonel Brandon definitely was an improvement.

I have never been very fond of Colonel Brandon, especially not in the 1996 version. Sorry people (sorry Evie!), remember this is merely my opinion. Firstly, I think he's too old for Marianne. Period. Seriously, seventeen and thirty-five- imagine marrying someone who was eighteen when you got born? Someone who is five years younger than your mother!

In the 1996 version it looks even more extreme, for there Colonel Brandon looks even older than thirty-five. He looks fifty, or at least forty. And Alan Rickman's Colonel Brandon is far too serious and he doesn't smile much.

 

He was so sweet here

I liked this Colonel. He was handsomer, he smiled more and he seemed younger than the other one (although the actor was older than thirty-five when he played it). I still don't really love him but he was a great improvement, I think, and I greatly rejoice over that.

 

 

Shudder. Whilloughby was awful. Absolutely awful. No seriously, Greg Wise was much better.

Dominic Cooper's Whilloughby looked so villainous and crook-ish from the start. And he wasn't handsome at all, I am sorry to say. He had slimy hair and looked awful- looks a bit like bat-man or someone like that. Shudder.

I always thought Greg Wise was annoying, but he just was because he's Whilloughby. This one is annoying... not only because he's Whilloughby. There are lots of reasons.

 

Quick, another subject. Please.

 

This. Boy. Was. Hilarious. He should have won an Oscar.

 

That's what I really loved about this version, they didn't scratch out all the minor characters. Henry Dashwood was there (not starving), Sir John Middleton was there with his insipid wife and spoilt children, and Lucy Steele had her sister. That's what I like, lots of different characters.

 

They even had Mrs Ferras! Haha!

 

I thought Lucy Steel was better in this version. More likeable, prettier and less of a foxy, proony, witchy girl. One could almost understand a young Edward accidentally falling in love with her, and I couldn't with the 1995 Lucy Steele.

 

And Anne Steele was SO funny. "Oh! It just popped out!" I've been quoting that sentence like mad lately.

 

But then there were characters which were really nothing next to those in the 1995 version. I thought Mrs Jennings here was just... not good. I want a big, vulgar boost who bursts in every room jovially, like the one in the book, and only the 1995 Mrs Jennings did that. This Mrs Jennings seemed too calm... you know.... I can't really explain (as you are probably noticing). Maybe the cause for this was because I recognised her as the frail and clever Queenie in 'Lark Rise to Candleford'.

Sir John Middleton was nice in his own way, but nothing next to the plump merry fellow in Emma Thompson's version.

 

The Palmers?

Never as good as Hugh Laurie and Miss Pole. I knew that from the start, and it's true. Never ever. No-one, no-one will ever be able to perform Mr and Mrs Palmer better than they. The following gif proves that statement with all certainty.

See what I mean? They didn't even try to try because they knew they would fail and tried to ignore them as much as possible. No one can ever be better than they. It is impossible. Hugh Laurie IS Mr Palmer and Imelda Staughton is Mrs Palmore. The end.

The costumes weren't much to brag off, and the scenery was pretty and very... um, spectacular.

 

But all in all I loved it so much and I'd certainly watch it again soon! I think Jane Austen stories are always better when they are longer and with all the story-bits in it. Emma Thompson left out to much and made her own little version. But she did a good job too.... I love them both.

It's a lovely story and, for those of you who haven't seen this, highly recommendable! (Although, skip the first scene like we did.)

 

What did you think of Sense and Sensibility 2008?

Who was your favourite character?

 

An aunty observation...

Have you ever noticed that, in many books, the annoying character is the aunt? Either the aunt or the great aunt- very often, very, very often the aunt or great aunt is annoying, bossy and strict. Often, they improve as the end draws near, of course, but have you not noticed that it's always the aunt?

 

Wooster: "My Aunt Agatha is sitting out there just waiting to pounce."

 

Let's take a look at those (great) aunts.

 

Aunt Polly

 

 

In 'Pollyanna', her aunt Polly is exactly suited to my description above. Annoying, bossy and strict. Aunt Polly is unkind and grim on top of that. And hardly ever smiles. I love it so much when Pollyanna tells her she loves her punishments. 'Oh, thank you, Aunt Polly! I love bread and milk!'

But in the end, Aunt Polly softens and becomes a much nicer person. But still, there you go, that was the first aunt.

 

Great-Aunt Josephine

 

 

I think Great-Aunt Josephine in 'Anne of Green Gables' changes rather too quickly. At first she's mean, menacing and threats to break all the golden promises she promised her niece, Diana, and then Anne comes (go, Anne) and she forgets all, becomes a bubbly, delightful thing and takes Diana and Anne on a sightseeing trip. Still, it's another Aunt who's got her less magnificent ways.

 

 

Lady Catherine the Bourgh

 

 

Even Jane Austen did it. We sometimes seem to forget that this is Mr Darcy's aunt. And what an annoying, picky, wacky one she is! This one is so stubborn, mean and proud she never changes. In fact, we see a shot of her, dully in her chair at home- face furious- when somewhere else Darcy and Elizabeth get married agaist her approval. Ha.

 

 

Aunt Shaw

I know her role is rather minor in North and South, but I had to add her. In my opinion, Aunt Shaw is dashingly annoying. I had to add her to my list.

 

 

Aunt Elizabeth

 

If you haven't read (or watched) 'Emily of the New Moon' you won't know how HORRID this aunt is. She's supposed to have a good heart, but seriously, I've read the books about five times and she only does like two good things in her life. She's horrible. When you read the books (and I definitely do recommend them, I love them to pieces) you'll notice you actually want Emily, her niece, to disobey her. She's that horrid and that strict.

'Emily of the New Moon' has many other strict aunts and uncles, including a monstrous great-aunt Nancy, who threatens to put Emily in a great clock if she's naughty... Lucy Maud Montgomery was really into that. But, I must say, isn't it fun to read! Same with all the aunts and uncles in her speldiforious book 'The Blue Castle'. Go, read it.

 

 

Aunt Pittipat

I don't know if you have the same feelings on Aunt Pittipat in Gone With the Wind as I do, but... well, yep I thought she was a dashed nuisance. Always fainting and yelling for those smelling salts of hers.

 

 

Aunt Agatha

This is how Wooster looks when he talks/thinks about her:

This is how Wooster looks when Aunt Agatha speaks to him:

That pretty much explains it, doesn't it?

 

 

I'm sure there are more annoying aunts in films and books, but for now, this is all. Do you know any more?

 

In which I tell you how it all began

 

It must have started somewhere, my complete craze for Period Drama. It did, I tell you. This all had a beginning. If something wouldn't have happened I wouldn't be here now writing a Period-Drama-related post in a Period-Drama-related blog with zillibillions of Period-Drama-related pictures and Period Drama eye candy.

 

 

Here, readers is my story: How it all began.

 

When I was a youngster ('bout eight, seven) the only period drama's I had any knowledge of were Heidi (I re and re-watched that one continuously), The Sound of Music (like every reader, this is needless to say), Mary Poppins and my beloved Little House on the Prairie which I devoured.

 

Since I had no Downton Abbey, Wives and Daughters, Sense and Sensibilty and Pride and Prejudice to rave and fangirl over, I had to be happy with what I had, and I became a Little House on the Prairie addict. I still like 'the Little House on the P.... this is such a long title, from now on I'm going to shorten it, okay?' but I'm not a fan now. Nope. I have far better things to swoon over.

Anyway, I loved those four movies and I didn't even know Pride and Prejudice existed. It's amazing I'm still alive, I know- but I survived. But then one day- I was eleven years old- my mother bought 'Pride and Prejudice 1995' on Amazon on DVD. My mother had seen it before, and whilst a sudden remembrance of how good it had been, she had been tempted to buy it again and had. (Forgive that last sentence- it was horribly phrased.)

And this....

.... Came in the letterbox.

Don't laugh at me as I say the following, please. I fell in love with the movie even before watching it. I fell in love with the cover, the far-too-small pictures at the back which I studied as closely as I could, and the story summarised in such a painfully short and byzantine (a new favourite word of mine- means 'complicated') way at the back.

I loved- adored Elizabeth's face and hairstyle and thought Darcy's cravat was the handsomest men's wear I had ever set eyes on. I loved Elizabeth's high-waist dress and studied the cover endlessly and enthusiastically.

 

 

I admit I was rather disappointed when my mother told me kindly that she and Daddy wanted to see it first, because they didn't remember how suitable it was for children.

 

After every episode they watched I literally plagued and peppered them with unending questions. 'Mother, what does Jane look like?' 'What's Elizabeth like?' 'What's their house like?' 'Who shares bedrooms with who?' 'Who's your favourite girl?' and so on and on. My mother answered them all as well as she could, quite enthusiastically- because she was loving it.

I already "lived" in P&P before watching it. I imagined a story of the Regency Bennet sisters. Don't ask me why, but Jane was the main character (and yes, she wasn't very much like Susannah Harker) and she fell in love with a mysterious man who hid in the garden, behind a bush, whilst her younger sister recited poetry in the parlour. It was a stupid story, but I knew no better.

And then, the following year I watched it. I was so amazed at its goodness. I loved it so much. It was simply perfect in every way. I must admit I didn't understand anything about the Wickham-Darcy-Georgiana and the Darcy-Jane plot line, but I didn't care a mite. Immediately this film was marked as my all-time favourite movie.

Lydia was my favourite character at that point. I loved her giggles and I just thought she was a lovely character... not good of me I know, but I kinda copied her. I still snort a lot, but that's where my snorts began. :-)

I watched Pride and Prejudice on every birthday of mine that followed. (Our family tradition is that the birthday girl/boy may choose a movie to watch). I watched it on my thirteenth and loved it even more because I understood everything. I had, by that time, also read the book, of course. I watched it for my fourteenth birthday, loved it to pieces.

By that time I had, of course, realised Jane Austen had written other books. I had read Sense and Sensibility and I had loved it. My aunt coincidentally gave me a dvd copy of the Emma Thompson version of S&S and I was wild of excitement when I watched because I loved it dearly. Not as much as P&P (that's not really possible, is it?) but almost.

That same year, we received the Elizabeth Gaskell movies from our neighbours. I enjoyed them so much... it was then that I officially became a Period Drama nut. I had also, by that time, watched some Dickens films, Anne of Green Gables, Pollyanna and Downton Abbey had delightfully introduced me to a new series of swoons and dreamy sighs.

I still have a great deal of Period Dramas I feel I must quickly! watch. For example, I haven't watched Little Dorrit, or The Scarlett Pimpernel or Les Miserables. Shocking? I know. But nevertheless, one cannot deny that- despite missing out on quite a few movies- I am  and always will be a Period Drama fan.

I love Period Dramas. They are so inspirational and dreamy and amazing and... I don't know. It's ridiculously fun to spot double actors, choose your favourite dress, quote your favourite lines, pretend you are one of the characters, make up your 'what if' stories and copy the character's poise and hairstyles. Period Dramas are just ridiculously fun.

Absurdly so.

 

Why North and South isn't my favourite (You could also call it a Review)

 

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THE INRODUCTION

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I love the Elizabeth Gaskell movies. After the Jane Austen ones (which decidedly comes first), they are probably my favourites. My favourite of the three is definitely Wives and Daughters, and Cranford comes close next. And... the one which is left- North and South that is- well, I like it, honest I do, but it has never been 'wow' to me. It just isn't my favourite movie. It isn't even on my top-ten list. Or ten-top, whatever you like to call it.

In this post I'll tell you the reason why North and South isn't my favourite. You could also call it a review. (Yes, okay- you read this in the title.) Warning, there are spoilers ahead, so if you haven't seen this and don't want to know what's going to happen, it would be advisable not to read on. And, another warning, there are strong opinionated opinions ahead, so be prepared. You know me, don't you. But of course, the comment box is happy to receive your opinions, even if they are different than mine.

 

 

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THE MAIN REASON

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Why?
Firstly, everything is so.... so black.

By saying 'black' I mean 'sad', 'weary' and 'not-very-joyful'. It is true- admit it. This is a very forlorn and melancholy film. To start with, there are seven deaths. Not two, like in Wives and Daughters (which was enough)- not four, like in Cranford (which was more than enough), but SEVEN.

 

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1. Bessie Higgins

2. Boucher

3. Boucher's wife

4. The guy who Frank Churchill Frederick Hale pushed down the stairs

5. Mrs Hale

6. Mr Hale (at this point I am going crazy)

7. Mr.. what's-his-name... Margaret's godfather

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So, needless to say, there are a vast amount of crying and wearing black and gloomy mourning scenes. And gruesome screenshots of dead people. (Boucher's death scene in particular is very not-Naomi-approved and the guy who got pushed down the stairs death scene as well).


Nine out of ten scenes have tears, black veils, suffering, crying babies, workers in rags or unhappy faces in them. I don't like any of the things I have just mentioned. Well, I don't really mind the black veil part- because black veils are rather elegant and they hide the tears and the unhappy face- but nevertheless, I am not particularly fond of black veils either. Ahem- I'm not talking about North and South. Sorry. 

 

Poor Margaret. Poor, poor girl. First she moves to a place rightly named after hell- Hellston. She sees a mighty handsome man with a mighty scary scowl beating a thin worker in rags.

She makes friends with Bessie- sees how her neighbours starve. She sees her good friend die, witnesses Boucher's gruesome death scene.

On top of all the unhappy things going in in that world, the Hale-family-atmosphere is melancholy as well. You heard that right.

Her mother and father argue. Her mother dies. Her brother comes and puts her in a heart-beating situation and forces her to choose between her brother's death or her breaking one of God's ten commandments. She chooses to break 'Thou shalt not lie' (I can't exactly say I blame her, of course) which again causes problems and makes her reputation with Thornton go in the negative direction. Because Thornton knows she lies.

Then, on top of that unhappy business- on top of all the deaths already past- her father dies. At this point, I think it's enough. At this point I'm literally dancing because of the this-goes-to-far-ness. Not dancing really- rather wriggling on the sofa and moaning softly, trying to restrain my complaints because people want to watch, but not managing to do so very successfully.

And then... guess what? Yep, you're right, her godfather (I still can't remember his name) says he's going to die. He probably knew because Margaret, he knew, would inherit his fortune and he also knew Elizabeth Gaskell would want to kill him off so that Margaret would have all the wealth in the end. (More about that famous ending later)

So... that's my main reason. This movie is like a funeral parade. One after the other. It's ridiculous.
In Anne of Green Gables, Diana Barry kills off all her characters in her stories because she doesn't know what to do with them. Perhaps Elizabeth Gaskell had the same problem.

Anne on how her friends write:

"It's extremely interesting," Anne told Marilla. "All the girls do pretty well. Ruby Gillis is rather sentimental. She puts too much lovemaking into her stories and you know too much is worse than too little. Jane never puts any because she says it makes her feel so silly when she had to read it out loud. Jane's stories are extremely sensible. Then Diana puts too many murders into hers. She says most of the time she doesn't know what to do with the people so she kills them off to get rid of them. I mostly always have to tell them what to write about, but that isn't hard for I've millions of ideas."

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MY IDEAS

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I have millions of ideas to redo North and South. Here are some of them:

~Bessie shouldn't die. Her not dying wouldn't affect the plot at all. Bessie should slowly fall in love with a nice guy and their romance should be left open, because that's a romantic thing to do.
~Henry Lennox should marry Miss Ann Latimore (Is that her name? I'm talking about the lady who's supposed to be Thornton's lover and who never talks and only nods and blinks.)
~Mrs Hale should get really ill, but she should recover because Mrs Thornton gives her some really expensive medicine. The two miraculously become best friends. Mrs Hale is sickly and fragile for the rest of her life, but she survives her illness and is happy to spend her time knitting in the rocking chair and talking with Hannah Thornton.
~Mr Hale should NEVER die.
~At the end of the story Mr and Mrs Hale buy Milton cottage back and live their happily ever after. Mr Hale starts a school which becomes amazingly popular.
~Margaret's godfather- what's his name?- should do what he did in the movie, because Margaret needs to end with the mill. That's an epic idea, and I like that.
~The guy who dies because Fred Hale pushed him down the stairs (his name as also escaped my notion) should die too, because that's where the plot starts to be really exciting.
~Boucher should not die. Boucher's family should end happy and richer. Thornton and Margaret must help them. All should end well for the Bouchers. Period.
~Thornton and Margaret go on a honeymoon to Spain, and visit Frederick and his fiancée.
~Fanny Thornton gets triplets who scream their heads off. Fanny finally realises what she's be like to her mother and brother.
~Hannah Thornton changes her character and goes round with baskets to help the poor. She never loves Margaret as much as Thornton does, but she remains civil and learns to enjoy her presence.

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MARGARET

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Daniela Denby-Ashe didn't cry half as much as Margaret would have done. She always stared vacantly ahead. (Look back, look back.) She isn't exactly my sort of heroine. She's too cold, isn't funny enough, and doesn't smile enough. I suppose she doesn't because she's been placed in such a stikin' sad story, so it isn't her fault she doesn't smile.

But I thought she was a nice heroine. She was kind, friendly and cared for her neighbours. Not dazzlingly beautiful, but with very pretty features- a normal heroine, to whom many people could relate to. Of course, we would cry more than she did.

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THORNTON

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 I know he's acted by Richard Army-tart, or whatever his name is. I know he has good ruddy looks, those eagle-ish eyes which girls squeal over and that firm set jaw which is popular with heroes in books. I know he was good and amazing and went ALL the way to Milton to pick Margaret a flower. I know he helped Margaret even though he knew she had lied. I know he loved quietly.

Quietly? Did I say quietly?

 

No. Mr Thornton says what he wants. He raises his voice unashamedly. That's not bad you know, but I think he gets too rough and too loud sometimes. Especially in the beginning he's far to harsh against his workers. Also- the smile-issue. He, like Margaret, hardly ever smiles.

 

He scowls too much- and even at the end he's a tad rude. Do you know what he said to... MR BELL! That's his name!! He said something like 'Go away and mind your own business.' And that was right at the ending. People compare Mr Thornton with Mr Darcy, but Mr Darcy is nicer than Mr Thornton. He's a little rude in the beginning, yes- but at least he doesn't scowl. He doesn't smile either, he just looks- like Margaret, as a matter of fact. Mr Thornton really scowls. And Mr Darcy improves rapidly- Thornton still says silly things at the end.

 

Anyway. He was a nice hero- but seriously, he's not at all my ideal. He was tolerable, but just not for me.

 

Besides, he lacked wit. I like wit.

 

 

 

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OTHER CHARACTERS

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Let me quickly overview some of the other characters.

 

I really loved Bessie. She had some funny lines, and a sense of humour, which I love to see in movies. She was so sweet, and I really don't understand why she had to die. She doesn't have anything to do with the plot, so I don't see why Elizabeth Gaskell had to kill her off. I also love her younger sister, Mary- although she plays a very minor role, she's one of my favourite characters.

 

Mr Higgins aka Mr Bates, was a very good man, but- like Mr Bates- he was too bloodthirsty and always seeking revenge. But I can't help but like him. My favourite bit in the entire movie was when he and Thornton become friends. Oh me, I just love that bit.

 

Boucher was... well, I pitied him SO much. He was just such a poor, poor man.

 

Hannah Thornton was such an annoying character. Firstly, her low voice drived me crazy. Secondly, she was selfish and grumpy. I did like it how she loved her son, but really- he was the only

person she loved, together with herself. I didn't like her.

 

 

Fanny Thornton, however, is entirely a different subject. I thought she was hilarity itself... I just loved all the scenes with her. She bought some laughter and silly-ness in the movie, and I liked that. I love this quote of hers: I see you don't have a piano. I don't know how I could live without a piano.

 

Mrs Hale (who also acted Mrs Rose in Cranford) complained too much. Also- the not-smiling-issue comes back here. She hardly ever smiled. I don't dislike her, but I must say I wouldn't like to have her for a mother.

 

In the beginning I didn't care much for Mr Hale, but as the movie went on I thought he was extremely kind. Yes, I like him a lot. When he died... ARGH.

 

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THAT ENDING

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And finally, I have to bring you sad tidings (I'm sure you're used to that if you've seen North and South, heehee) by saying that I did not enjoy the ending. I've seen it twice, and both times I squirmed instead of swooned. Both times all my siblings watching with me yelled and laughed at the exaggerated kiss. Both times we all agreed it was 'over-the-top'.

 

Watch it here and then read my humble comments:
 

 

(sorry it's without any talking- it's just the soundtrack and the video clip. They don't talk much anyway, so you don't miss much.)

 

So... first he goes allll the way to the cottage to pick one yellow flower to show Margaret. He picks it up and stares at it as if he can see Margaret's reflection in it. I personally think it's a trifle weird, but I still thought it was sweet, that. And it works, Margaret gets all warmed up and starts to realise that Thornton is the guy for her. They all get worked up because of one little flower- amazing, that.
 

Firstly, WHY IS THORNTONS SHIRT OPEN?!? It annoys me so much that Mr Thornton's shirt isn't buttoned up! Talk about historical accuracies people! A man of his status would never walk into public like that.

And then that kiss... I think it's just over the top.

Then they both go in the train. He kisses her again and again, Margaret gives a tiny hint of a smile as she stares vacantly out of the train window and... SNAP. BLACK. *Passionate violins start to burst forth*

The film is over.

I want a wedding. I want a proposal. And I didn't get either. I just got a great, big, mushy kiss in which the hero has his shirt buttons open and in which the heroine doesn't smile. Yes, I suppose that's popular nowadays, but I want to know. Are they engaged and I want to see them married. And I don't. And that's why I'm not satisfied with the ending.

I can imagine this is their wedding. But it's hard because neither of them are smiling. SIGH.

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BUT!

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But! I DO like this move a great deal! I never said I didn't! It has some great scenes, great issues, great themes, great scenery, great characters, great quotes and great costumes in it. It's a great Period Drama, and I do like it a great deal. I'm getting tired of the word 'great' aren't you?

I would gladly watch this film again. I enjoyed and I do recommend it for Period Drama lovers. It's not my favourite- there are many better P D's- but I do like it.

 

 

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WHAT ABOUT YOU?

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