Singleness According to Period Dramas

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. In case you're wondering, I don't feel morose at all. My first book is hitting the world tomorrow, I've got friends coming in town and a no-couples-party planned for Saturday night...there is dark chocolate in the world and life is always good. No, life isn't always good. God is good and He gives beauty to life and because of that, I'm not pining away. We have a rather funny little thing planned here tomorrow so you'll have to stay tuned. For now: humor! I thought I'd do a post featuring Period Dramas on How Being Single Isn't All That Bad. Get Ready? Get Set? GO!

Mi, mi, mi, mi, miiiiii:

1.
Married people tend to have too much stuff.

"Look, Mater, you can't expect to bring the whole Panjandrum!"

2.
Husbands expect to tell you what to do. 

"A husband would expect to tell her what to do and Emma won't like that, I can assure you."

3.
If married or romantically involved, you are much more likely to catch cold from being exposed to all sorts of inclement weather and/or cotton mills.

"What care I for a cold when there is such a man?" 

4.
As a single woman, you are much less likely to be coerced into squandering your fortune on your lover's hare-brained schemes.

 "They say he sold his soul to the devil. If he did, I don't know what he did with the money!"

5.
And, of course, you don't have the bother of a mother-in-law.

 "Five thousand a year!"

6.
And while unmarried, there are always more chances to meet dashing young men unexpectedly

"You'll just have to live here then. Bye-bye."

7.
And do we even want to mention the fact that while single, there are chances to nurse handsome people back to health and thereby gain their admiration?

"I think I'd like to be a nurse; isn't that a romantic profession? Smoothing fevered brows and then some handsome millionaire patient will fall madly in love with you..."

8.)

As a single woman, you are free to gad about and state your opinions freely, including the fact that you think botany is really quite boring.

"I don't share your opinion!"

9.

While single, you can still dream that--contrary to your own upbringing--you'll marry and end up with enough money to pay all expenses and have a bit left over for keeping a cook.

"Ever since I've come to live with the Boffins, I've been constantly avariciously scheming!"

10.

And, of course, is there really anything as satisfying as spying on and making fun of the couples in your life?

Yeah, didn't think so.

Happy Valentine's Day, Darlings!

The Scarlet Pimpernel: My Dream Cast

Oh my dears. Oh my deary-dears. You all know (or ought to know, or can imagine) that I love The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. Recently I converted a friend onto the First-Timers campaign and experienced all the honest pride of a mother exhibiting her favorite child. I can't imagine how it would feel to have written such a book! There was a film made in 1984 starring Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour which I really do love, but I haven't seen the newest version. That being said, I have been putting my wits to the question for a long time of what my TSP Dream-Cast would look like, and here is what I have:

Sir Percival Blakeney:

Benedict Cumberbatch

He could so swing this part. Perhaps a little small-framed, but nothing worse than Anthony Andrews. He could nail the foppishness as well as the intensity, and I cannot think of a better person for this part. Seriously.

Chauvelin:

Andy Serkis

(sans crop of crazy-curly hair)

Small, intense, scheming, and evil to the core, Andy Serkis would OWN this role. 

Marguerite Blakeney:

Romola Garai

Romola. Beautiful, beautiful Romola. Ever since I saw her in her stunning role in Amazing Grace, I have pictured Marguerite Blakeney thus. Don't think Emma Woodhouse, think Barbara Spooner. I think she could carry the gravity, the heart-break concealed under the wit and mockery. She could do this if given the chance.

Armand St. Just:

Rupert Evans

Because Armand's largest fault is his bull-headed, blind passion for a stupid dancer, I think Frank Churchill (aka Rupert Evans) would do the part justice. I like his acting. I like him. And seeing Rupert and Romola in another movie together as brother and sister would be pretty great.

Lord Anthony Dewhurst (Lord Tony):

Dan Stevens

I know he's done with Downton Abbey, so whaddya think: would Dan like a nice side-gig as leaning-post for Benedict Cumberbatch as Percy? I think he'd be perfect for the role. He's just such a nice, solid Brit. You know. He couldn't be mistaken for coming from any other country. He's just....wholesome looking. Perfect for jolly, bluff Lord Tony.

Sir Andrew Ffoulkes:

Tom Hiddleston

He needs a happy-go-lucky-yet-important role, doesn't he? Because from all I've heard, Tom Hiddleston is a pretty sweet guy, and he never gets to play happy roles. He would be really great as an essentially-English man. Truly.

Suzanne DeTourney:

Rosamund Pike

Because she's gorgeous, a fabulous actress, and looks a mite French.

Other Characters:

Robespierre:

Rufus Sewell

Ew. Yeah. He'd do the job. He always looks French to me no matter what, and I think he has cold, fishy eyes. Plus he's a good actor, and has played in a period drama set right about the same time (Amazing Grace again, anyone?) but I chose him for this role because his coloring is right for Robespierre in my opinion. Seriously. He always looks kind of half-crazed. Exactly the sort of guy who could aptly play a character like Robbie. ;)

The Prince of Wales:

Tom Hollander

Because he's little and dweeby but harmless.  And the PoW needs to be little and dweeby and harmless. :)

This late at night my mind forgets what other side-characters there are on the French side, but I will state that Ciarin Hinds needs to make an appearance as a Frenchie. He just looks French. I'm just sayin'. And if I could stick Ioan Gruffud in there somewhere as another Frenchie, it'd make my day and the day of several of my friends. 

So this, my friends, is my Dream-Cast List for a remake of The Scarlet Pimpernel. I tried to be true to what I recall from the book about the various characters. (i.e. Marguerite is clearly stated to have reddish-gold hair. NOT BLACK!) All the actors I have listed are well-known BBC (or closely-related to BBC) actors, and I think would work really well in a film together. All of them have done period-drama work in their careers, and some of them are actively "Period-Drama-Actors". :) I think it's rather perfect.

 So. Who wants to bring this awesome list to the attention of the BBC? We really should. Because I would pay my life's savings to see a film with a stellar cast like this. :)

Don't Keep Calm!

In lieu of the fact that I am feeling starved of period dramas right now, and that Miss Laurie of Old-Fashioned Charm was having a Don't Keep Calm Contest, I thought I'd make up a few posters of my own for your amusement...

Quote from BBC's Pride & Prejudice

Quote from BBC's "Bleak House"

And of course a quote from Mr. Thornton of North & South. <3

You ought to enter!

Oh my stars and stockings!!!

I just made the most astounding, hilarious, amazing discovery ever! *Oh my heart, stop beating so triumphantly!* ;)
I was looking for an old post of mine (about my Dickens cook-book: Shake me up, Judy) to write another post (about another gift I'm doing) when I came across a 9 second clip from BBC's Bleak House showing the infamous "Shake me up, Judy!" scene wherein Judy shakes her grandfather Smallweed up. We always quote that scene. "Shake me up!" is our circle's lingo for "I need you to crack my back pretty please." ;)
Here's the clip, and tell me if you found it quite as astonishing as I:

Did you get it? Did you? Watch it again. Who does Judy remind you of? Anyone? I saw her again and my mind immediately flew to Sherlock. Molly Hooper. The girl that fans speculate might have helped Sherlock pull the whole dying-before-Watson's-very-eyes gag. I couldn't rest till I ferreted it out for myself.

And know what? I was right.

I was right!!! Hahaha! Judy Smallweed is Molly Hooper.

Or to put it properly, they are both Louise Brealey. Brilliant. I feel so smart and clever. This made my night. :)

Movie Night: Wives and Daughters

The title little lets on the subtle, sweeping drama that underlies this sweet film. I read Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives and Daughters a year or two ago, so you can imagine my delight when a friend introduced me to the film version not long after. (Wives and Daughters 1999, BBC)

Molly Gibson played by Justine Waddell

Molly Gibson, sweet, unassuming, and full of a fierce loyalty to her father, lives in the little town of Hollingford with little to vex her. Her mother died when she was very young so she and her father are best friends and companions. It seems everything will continue on in its simple, happy way...that is, until the story gains a Cinderella twist.

Father and Daughter... :) So sweet.

Mr. Gibson (Bill Paterson) makes an ill-advised marriage to a foolish, silly-minded woman: Hyacinth Clare Kirkpatrick. (Francesca Annis) He thinks it a very good idea--after all, with the young men beginning to buzz around Molly, what is he to do? So he proposes to the former governess of Lord and Lady Cumnor's daughters, and life for Molly is forever changed.

In the meantime Molly has befriended the old and established family at Hamley Hall: Squire Hamley (Michael Gambon), the cheerful but ill Mrs. Hamley (Penelope Wilton) and their two sons: Osborne (Tom Hollander) and Roger Hamley (Anthony Howell). Molly is attracted to Roger for his good sense and gentleness to her during the trial of gaining a new mother. (and such a woman!) They strike up a sweet, brother-sister friendship, and Molly begins to feel the delights of being loved by such a sweet, old-blooded family. After all, Molly is a little shy and a bit of a loner herself so she and Roger who is not his mother's favorite child are a natural pair. :)

Tom Hollander as the poetry-writing Osborne Hamley

In the next few weeks Molly's sweet spirit conquers her prejudice over her father's wife, Mrs. Gibson, though the selfishness of her new mother is nearly unbearable at times, especially when it interferes with Molly's ministrations and visits to the invalid Mrs. Hamley. But there is little time to bemoan her lot--Molly is not that kind of a girl anyway--for Mrs. Gibson's daughter, Cynthia Kirkpatrick is coming home to Hollingford after being away at school for a number of years.

L-R: Mr. Gibson, Mrs. Gibson, Cynthia, and Molly

When Cynthia arrives, Molly is befuddled and a bit confused at the mixture of candidness and reserve, charm, and reticence that her new sister shows.

All of Hollingford is soon charmed by the beautiful Miss Kirkpatrick (Keeley Hawes) with her wit and vivacious spirit. She is new and unique and utterly capable of bewitching the heart and soul of the pokey old town.

Molly loves Cynthia in her unquestioning way, but there is something strange going on. A secret somewhere about. Thrown into the charming Cynthia's shadow, Molly continues loving her family, the Hamleys, and the other folk in the little English country-town.

But Molly's is not to be an entirely happy, sunny lot. She learns a secret of Osborne Hamley--a secret that could jeopardize his inheritance because of his father's prejudice and she has sworn not to tell. Her beloved Mrs. Hamley dies, widening the rift between Osborne and Squire Hamley. Cynthia is consistently charming away every suitor that comes for Molly. But the chief thorn in Molly's crown is one that she tries not to mind because of her love for both parties involved:

Roger Hamley is deeply in love with Cynthia and has proposed directly before leaving for Africa. Molly's heart is broken  but she is too generous and loving to hang onto her jealousy. She will continue loving both Roger and Cynthia while burying her own feelings.

But the horizon grows even dimmer. Cynthia does not appear to love Roger the way she ought and demands their engagement remain a secret, yet she clings to her promise of marrying him with a vengeance that little matches the way she speaks of him. It almost appears to Molly that she is marrying him as an escape from...something.

Cynthia unaccountably breaks off her engagement with Roger Hamley and tells Molly her deep secret: She has long been engaged to another man--a cruel, heartless man who "loves" her so much she has become his obsession.

Osborne Hamley dies and Molly is left with the difficult task of being the confidante of two different people with deep, complicated secrets, unable to relieve her heart by telling them to anyone else. It is up to her to bring everything back to where it ought to be, all while denying her own heart that longs for Roger as Cynthia's never could. But trouble comes knocking on Molly's door as she tries to help. Her good name and character begin to be questioned by the busy-bodies of Hollingford. Everyone begins suspecting Molly of some scandal involving the man she is trying to rid Cynthia of. Only Lady Harriet (Rosamund Pike) who has long been a patroness of little Molly Gibson believes she is innocent and does everything in her power to set things straight.

Will it all come right? Will Molly, Cynthia, Roger, and all the rest of this cast live happily ever after? I will not say. I will not promise anything, for you must be surprised. But I will tell you that everything turns out as it ought to, including the sweetest non-physical proposal you've ever seen!

Cons: I imagine there is a bit of British language in this movie, though I can't recall exactly. Osborne Hamley is seen in bed without his shirt on. Cynthia in particular wears several rather low-necked dresses. She is a bit of a flirt, as well.

Pros: This movie has a simplicity and yet complexity about it that works well with the setting of an old feudal town in the English countryside. Molly is one of the most upstanding, loveable, and truly good heroines in period drama. (Second only, perhaps, to Esther Summerson or Amy Dorrit) Her purity and innocence are refreshingly show-cased next to Cynthia's worldly-wise womanliness.
Roger and Molly's relationship (for yes, of course they get together at the end! :) is sweet, innocent, and utterly cheer-worthy.

Tears mixed with rain...so sweet!

The proposal is Mama's hands-down favorite.

Love this scene where Roger (not shown) realizes his little Molly-sister has grown up!

You will find this movie a leisurely, yet emotional drama of the complexity of family and small-town life. You will laugh, cry, cheer, and want to hurl the DVD cover at several people's heads. But I assure you, Wives and Daughters will become a beloved piece of your heart, even though it is not as showy and flashy as some of the other "great" films. :) <3

Wasps' nests, anyone? ;)

I would have included some quotes from this darling movie, but unfortunately, imdb.com had only two, and those really had very little to do with the best parts of the movie! You shall simply have to watch Wives and Daughters for yourself as soon as possible to get the full effect! :)

The Young Victoria: A Movie Review

Hey Girls! You all voted on the side-bar poll for more book and movie reviews, so I thought I'd obleege you by posting a review of one of my favorite new(er) movies. That movie, my dahlings, is The Young Victoria.

First off, you have not lived Period Drama Costumes until you have watched this movie. That's all. You have not grown to love Queen Victoria after whom the Victorian Era is named until you've seen this movie. That's all. You have no idea that Prince Albert was so entirely amazing until you've seen this movie. That's all. *"be still, my heart, I'm hardly breathing.."* ;)

Emily Blunt as the young Queen, and Rupert Friend  as Prince Albert

The movie (obviously) covers the younger life of Queen Victoria--the most beloved queen (arguably) in England's history. There are politics galore, lots of intermarrying, and quite a few treasonous people. The first time I watched Y.V (Young Victoria, people. I'm just a wee bit weary of typing that title over and over :) I was horribly confused and befuddled and breathless.

Then why do I love this movie? Because I realized quite afterward that I watched it while coming out of anesthesia from my wisdom-teeth surgery. Not the sharpest crayon in the box, but oh well. I guess it affected my better judgement. This called for a re-watch. And it was not that confusing after all. You can certainly understand the most of it if you're not drugged and in terrible pain. :D

Albert and Victoria have a fascinating life together. I have always admired the young queen's valiance, determination, and loyalty to her people and her country. I didn't know that much about Albert except that he's rather a nice chap on a whole. This movie convinced me that Albert and Victoria are my favorite couple in all of (true) history. Period. Their love is so sweet--actually, Victoria is rather young and selfish once she gains her throne but Albert loves her through it and eventually she learns to take his advice rather than rely on her own favorite: Lord Melbourne. There is actually a fantabulous scene where Lord M. admits he has used Victoria for his own political pursuits and that she ought to realize what a wise, kind husband she has. It's my favorite scene from that movie, almost! :)

So now for a closer look. The costumes, as I mentioned before, are drool-worthy. Take a look at some of these beauties:

This has got to be my favorite--the color is breathtaking.

A closer view of the gold-rose ballgown....

It is simply delicious.

Emily Blunt looking lovely in green silk... :)

She looks so sweet and girlish in this simple dress. :)

There are so many beautiful dresses (and a few strange ones. :D) The hairstyles are also a tad weird, but that is explainable, as they are period correct. :)

There are dozens off characters so I will not try to show them all to you. I just want to hone in on four. First off, Victoria's mother, The Duchess of Kent, played by Miranda Richardson.

She is a cold, frightened, rather pliable woman who is under the thumb of her adviser, Sir John Conroy. She and Victoria's relationship is rocky at best, but somehow you feel sorry for her through it all. Especially in this little scene where you realize how much the Duchess really did love her daughter:

Sir John Conroy: [watching the crowd outside the palace] How changeable they are. They hate you, they love you, they hate you.
Duchess of Kent: They punished her. They never hated her.

Next is Sir John Conroy himself:

At first I was laughing because Sir John is such a different part than that Mark Strong played in Emma as Mr. Knightley, but it soon because evident that he was perfect for the part of a cruel, influential, manipulative adviser. I even have him staked out for Mr. Murdstone if they ever make another version of David Copperfield. Bwahaha. ;)

Lord Melbourne, played by Paul Bettany, is Victoria's Prime Minister.

He is a charming, officious, not bad-hearted version of Sir John Conroy. As in, he manipulates Victoria and tries to sway her political views, as seen in this quote:

Queen Victoria: I do want to help them, whatever you say. And not just the laboring poor, but the hungry and the homeless, and... There are people who are lost, and whose business is it to see to their welfare?
Lord Melbourne: Well, in my experience, ma'am, it's best to let these things develop naturally. If you interfere, you risk overturning the cart.
Queen Victoria: Well, Prince Albert doesn't agree. He's made a study of the working man's condition, he's full to the brim with ideas for their improvement.
Lord Melbourne: Is he indeed? How inspiring.

He's such a schemer, but Albert sets him straight in the end. Oh Albert! Now I get to talk about him, okay? :) Rupert Friend was The Albert.

I don't see how anyone else could have played him. Funny, because I first saw this actor as Mr. Wickham in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice and was disgusted with him. But as Albert, Rupert Friend is unrivaled. He even got the slight Belgian accent down to a "T". Albert is everything Victoria needed in a husband: faithful, gentle, wise, insistent. He even ***SPOILER ALERT*** intentionally takes a bullet that was meant for his Queen. *sniff sniff sniff* ***END OF SPOILER***
He handls Lord Melbourne brilliantly:

Lord Melbourne: Your Highness, there's your opening if you'll take my advice...
Prince Albert: Lord Melbourne, forgive me but you seem to have confused me with a member of your club. I am not your drinking companion nor your whist partner. I am the husband of your sovereign. And as such, I will make my own decisions, and I neither seek nor invite your advice. Good evening.

Yes. That is my Albert. :) Love him for me!

There are so many amazing parts in this movie that I could share all the quotes in the movie with you and still not have said enough. :) But I don't want to entirely spoil it for you, so I'll leave you with a few quotes at the end of this review. :)
So now we come down to the pins and needles of this film. What are the cons? What things are wrong with it? Of course Victoria was not a very submissive wife (partly what her position demanded) and of course she was not very kind to her mother, and of course she leaned on her Prime Minister rather than her husband for wisdom and advice. But all these issues are worked out in the movie in a fabulous, unmatchable way, so I don't count them as cons. Therefore, the only thing I can say in opposition to the film is that the dresses are a bit low, and there are several long(er) kissing scenes, one of which occurs in bed. (Though since the characters are married and fully dressed I didn't have *such* a problem with. We usually fast-forward though)
The Young Victoria is a film that every Victorian-era lover should see, and one that is destined to go down as a rich, elegant, heart-warming classic. Go watch it and be enthralled. :)

Quotables:

Sir John Conroy: [outraged] I cannot believe I'm being subjected to this interrogation!
Prince Albert: [sitting behind a desk, piled with papers] You're not being subjected to anything, Sir John. You have been in charge of the Duchess's finances for many years. Indeed, you have made public statements testifying to their health.
Sir John Conroy: I have!
Duchess of Kent: And I am so grateful.
Prince Albert: All I am asking is that you will be so good as to tell us exactly where the money has gone.

Prince Albert: I just got your note. I was riding.
Queen Victoria: Sit, please.
Prince Albert: The park is marvelous.
Queen Victoria: I'm so pleased you like it. I do want you to feel quite at home... I'm sure you're aware why I wished you to come here. Because it would make me happier than anything, too happy really, if you would agree to what I wish.
Prince Albert: And stay with you?
Queen Victoria: And stay with me.
Prince Albert: And marry you?
Queen Victoria: And marry me! 

Prince Albert: "For Pity's sake, smile woman. Anyone would think we'd have quarreled!" ;)

*I saved the best quote of all for last. :)*

Princess Victoria: Do you ever feel like a chess piece yourself? In a game being played against your will.
Prince Albert: Do you?
Princess Victoria: Constantly. I see them leaning in and moving me around the board.
Prince Albert: The Duchess and Sir John?
Princess Victoria: Not just them. Uncle Leopold. The king. I'm sure half the politicians are ready to seize hold of my skirts and drag me from square to square.
Prince Albert: Then you had better master the rules of the game until you play it better than they can.
Princess Victoria: You don't recommend I find a husband to play it for me?
Prince Albert: I should find one to play it with you, not for you.