Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 8, 2021 21:18:48 GMT -8
Britbox presents this series in eight episodes. IMDB has it listed at 15 episodes.
I’m ambivalent about Dickens. Certainly in drama one is allowed to create larger-than-life characters. And one supposes that someone, somewhere, was a dead ringer for each of these characters.
But when presented all at once, it seems like a class-based lie. Britain could never have built an empire if the aristocracy were nothing but halfwits.
So one imagines these are the virtue-signaling stories of the times. The Prolls could watch them and not feel so bad about being lazy or dumb.
That said, if you’re willing to step into the Dickens universe of exaggerated characters and class-envy-based entertainment, he does present at least a minimally engaging story.
This is a good cast and I think they mostly made these characters seem real instead of bland stereotypes. Charles Dance is outstanding as the reptilian lawyer. Denis Lawson anchors the soft-spoken nice-guy role of John Jarndyce.
Probably the Oscar goes to Burn Gorman who plays the creepy, but harmless, Mr. Guppy. Of special note as well is Nathaniel Parker as the human sponge, Mr. Skimpole. And I don’t know what to say about Phil Davis as Mr Smallweed. But I’m guessing this is one of those larger-than-life characters Dickens tended to write. And Davis holds back nothing in his portrayal.
These actors take what is in my opinion a so-so story and breath life into it. The story is meant to be grand and iconic. But like I said, I find Dickens to be full of little cheats. But moment to moment, the story moves along just fine.
Watch this one for the actors. The story is dimestore melodrama even if the Dickens name is attached to it. But it can be enjoyed on that level.
I’m ambivalent about Dickens. Certainly in drama one is allowed to create larger-than-life characters. And one supposes that someone, somewhere, was a dead ringer for each of these characters.
But when presented all at once, it seems like a class-based lie. Britain could never have built an empire if the aristocracy were nothing but halfwits.
So one imagines these are the virtue-signaling stories of the times. The Prolls could watch them and not feel so bad about being lazy or dumb.
That said, if you’re willing to step into the Dickens universe of exaggerated characters and class-envy-based entertainment, he does present at least a minimally engaging story.
This is a good cast and I think they mostly made these characters seem real instead of bland stereotypes. Charles Dance is outstanding as the reptilian lawyer. Denis Lawson anchors the soft-spoken nice-guy role of John Jarndyce.
Probably the Oscar goes to Burn Gorman who plays the creepy, but harmless, Mr. Guppy. Of special note as well is Nathaniel Parker as the human sponge, Mr. Skimpole. And I don’t know what to say about Phil Davis as Mr Smallweed. But I’m guessing this is one of those larger-than-life characters Dickens tended to write. And Davis holds back nothing in his portrayal.
These actors take what is in my opinion a so-so story and breath life into it. The story is meant to be grand and iconic. But like I said, I find Dickens to be full of little cheats. But moment to moment, the story moves along just fine.
Watch this one for the actors. The story is dimestore melodrama even if the Dickens name is attached to it. But it can be enjoyed on that level.