Many people here have praised the acting of David Suchet as Augustus Melmotte, but I'm going to have to disagree. His performance and that of Matthew Macfadyen as Sir Felix Carbury were both so over-the-top that I was completely distracted from the...
- 11.March.2011
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- by: Ann
- Ann rated this movie
 9/10Amazing
Many people here have praised the acting of David Suchet as Augustus Melmotte, but I'm going to have to disagree. His performance and that of Matthew Macfadyen as Sir Felix Carbury were both so over-the-top that I was completely distracted from the actual storyline. In fact, Cillian Murphy and Paloma Baeza were the only actors who didn't seem as if they were part of some "Saturday Night Live" skit. However, I haven't read the book, so I guess it's possible that Trollope wrote these characters as grotesques, and this was the director's way of translating that to film. (I'm off to the library!)
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The entire series is about people making really dumb decisions and following through with even dumber actions. There are really only two likable characters and their path through the story has plenty of signs to make sure you don't ever have a shred...
- 20.September.2010
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- by: tpaine
- tpaine rated this movie0/10
The entire series is about people making really dumb decisions and following through with even dumber actions. There are really only two likable characters and their path through the story has plenty of signs to make sure you don't ever have a shred of doubt about where they will end up.
The only real surprises in the movie come at the very end and they leave you with a sour unbelievable taste in your mouth. You have all these characters who act one way throughout the story and all of sudden they act out of character for no apparent reason.
David Suchet gives an amazing performance but he doesn't make up for Miranda Otto's horrible southern accent.
- 20.September.2010
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- by: tpaine
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For those who've read Trollope's novel, this adaptation might at times feel like a bit of a departure, since like most book adaptations, the film takes some artistic liberties. But in this case, they work.
By turns, this...
- 11.September.2010
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- by: Nooshi N.
- Nooshi N. rated this movie0/10
For those who've read Trollope's novel, this adaptation might at times feel like a bit of a departure, since like most book adaptations, the film takes some artistic liberties. But in this case, they work.
By turns, this production reminded me of 'The Age of Innocence', 'Angels & Insects', and even those gorgeous Merchant-Ivory films. While this was of a slightly different caliber, the sets and costumes were equally exquisite.
The Melmott family is the most entertaining with a classically surreal Tim Burton sensibility about them--odd & wickedly funny, reminding me of the characters in 'Beetlejuice' & other films with eccentric performances by the the likes of Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, etc. As I'm a sucker for romantically dramatic costumes, I loved all the wardrobe for Mrs. Melmott & Marie's characters as much as their antics! And the over-the-top Melmott mansion was delicious eye candy.
But the rest of the story/characters too were interesting enough to make me want to watch all 4 episodes. My other favorite character is Mrs. H., whose southern accent took a a sudden turn into a British one at times, yet was wonderful and quite watchable. And last but not least, Cillian Murphy was, as always, angelically entrancing. He and Mrs. H. made a far more interesting (and sexy) couple, but that would have been a different film altogether...
All in all, if you're expecting the standard period piece, you'll get one, but with quite a bit more fun & spice thrown in! ~NN
- 11.September.2010
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- by: Nooshi N.
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