Monday, December 31, 2007

The Old Curiosity Shop - ITV adaptation

I don't know the original, apart from the Oscar Wilde quote "One would have to have a heart of stone to read the death of Little Nell without laughing."
This adaptation was a good introduction to the story, without the depth of character and humour of Dickens. The main characters were excellent - Derek Jacobi as Nell's father, the compulsive gambler for all the best reasons... Sophie Vavasseur as Nell herself, Toby Jones as the obnoxious Quilp. It's made me want to read the book.

The History Boys

The other day we watched Alan Bennett’s The History Boys. Normally I love Alan Bennett's wit, and sharp observations, but this was an odd mixture of romanticised sixth formers, as they may have been in the late nineteen fifties, but with nineties dialogue and attitudes, and 2nd year undergrad cleverness. Harry hated it – I got more involved but couldn’t believe the characters.

I searched for comments online and this struck me as being apt.
http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/columnist/story/0,,1925377,00.html

The Trouble with Harry

Hitchcock made a comedy. Ok, it's about a dead man, who may have been murdered, and the body is buried and dug up at least three times, but it's still a comedy. Almost a rom com since boy gets girl twice over. And the scenery - Vermont in the fall, with glowing colours - is a knockout.
Suspend disbelief and enjoy.