Short Notices: films I’ve seen lately
Restoration (Michael Hoffman, 1995)
The restoration of the film’s title is that of a young doctor, following his corruption and downfall at the court of Charles II. A film of startling contrasts: comedy and tragedy, wealth and poverty, luxury and austerity, city and countryside(s). Mind you, it’s nowhere near as good as the novel by Rose Tremain on which it’s based. However, the film website is excellent, with pages on politics (quite broadly defined), religion, marriage and medicine, including contemporary quotations and plenty of useful links as well as stuff from the film; there should be more like it. (Review by Justin Champion.)
The Madness of King George (Nicholas Hytner, 1994)
A film both comic and harrowing, adapted from Alan Bennett’s play The Madness of George III. Tremendous performances, good on evoking the politics and - like Restoration - on aspects of contemporary medicine. But translation for an American market (it’s well known that the film had to be renamed because American audiences would wonder what had happened to TMG I & II…) has brought its problems - too much Heritage, not enough satire?…
Elizabeth (Shekhar Kapur, 1998)
I don’t care how popular this film was: I thoroughly disliked it. It’s not the compression of events that were in reality spread over many years into a short timespan that bothers me. Most of all, it’s the depiction of Elizabeth herself. Yes, Cate Blanchett looks the part and gives a good performance. But how could such a consummate political survivor be portrayed as not simply innocent in the ways of the world, but so completely wet and dependent? And as for the portrayals of Mary de Guise (slanderous) and William Cecil (ridiculous, fussy, way too old)… Yet it is good on the political scene and dangers that Elizabeth faced, the very real insecurity of her early years. We can forget that ‘Gloriana’ was once a novice at queenship, and this film reminds us how she had to learn the art (including myth-making), by trial and error, in a situation where a mistake might be fatal
Dangerous Liaisons (Stephen Frears, 1988)
The pre-revolutionary French aristocracy at their most decadent? Stereotypes and posh frocks? Instead this is a seriously good film, and a fine adaptation of Laclos’ 1782 novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, with Glenn Close and John Malkovich absolutely superb in the lead roles; a tremendous exploration of sexual politics. It looks like a heritage film in its sumptuousness, but it’s disturbing and, indeed, dangerous
Artemisia (Agnes Merlet, 1997) Also full of dangerous sex (and much more naked flesh; after all, this is a French film…); a controversial and problematic interpretation of the life of the painter Artemisia Gentileschi and her relationship with Agostino Tassi. Yet, as well as the sex and the rape trial, it’s a marvellous film about painting, ‘looking’, becoming a painter - and the obstacles, created by sexual double standards, that Artemisia had to overcome to achieve that goal
Shakespeare in Love (John Madden, 1998) A thoroughly entertaining film (even Gwyneth Paltrow is bearable). In many ways, it plays fast and loose with history; but it does it with a knowing wink, and maybe it captures something of the spirit of the playhouses of the time. Whatever: it’s both intelligent and fun, and well worth watching
Buckling some swash
The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers (Richard Lester, 1973 and 1974)
Oliver Reed, Frank Finlay and Faye Dunaway amongst a terrific cast, great action, full of energy and wit, terrific bangs and explosions: swashbucklers, especially the first of the pair (the second is more patchy; and just don’t bother with the 1990s rehash), don’t come any better than this; really captures the spirit of Dumas’ novel (in itself worth reading any time)
But if you ever want to see how not to do it, try Cutthroat Island (Renny Harlin, 1995)
Geena Davis on autopilot, dreadful script, terrible fight scenes. And possibly the most irritating thing is that it contains the seeds of something really entertaining, a good idea (and Geena herself) totally wasted. Oh, and it does have one good explosion, but you have to wait till the very end…
Updates to come in the not too distant future…
Pirates of the Caribbean (because I refuse to take it all too seriously)
The Wicked Lady (ditto)
La Kermesse Heroique
La Reine Margot
TV dramas
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot
Several dramas on Elizabeth I
