I've watched many a British period drama from the likes of BBC, etc., this one is of the first I ever watched and as the years go by it just grows more and more in my appreciation.
It's mostly a story about various family realities and the way people interact with each other, within the family and elsewhere, nothing apparently grand about it. But there are just so many excellent performances from the different characters and the scenes are so well made it's a constantly engaging.
Justine Waddel as a the main character Molly performs just so perfectly: Molly is a young, naïve and strong willed girl, but utterly good-hearted. She genuinely exudes the right aura for the character - you can feel her innocence and honesty and utter love for her father. It's truly heart warming to see that family of her and her father so "cosily" displayed in so many "casual" day to day interactions - I never found such a truthful display of family love such as in this series.
Many many other actors perform just as well bringing to life their characters' traits. I'm constantly struck at how in the majority of scenes every character gives off lots more than just the dialogue with small gestures, facial expressions, body movements, etc etc, enriching the painting in every scene. You can rewatch this again and again and get more nuances out of it. You truly get intimate with the realities of the characters.
I could write novels about how well just about every other character is acted out so well, in every moment of every scene - I can't begin to endeavour that.
And alongside all of this, you get lots of gleans into many different aspects of society at the time, which never really take the primary focus, but instead by not being directly addressed are naturally shown rather than told - making it, imho, more poignant. AND a glimpse of the scientific society of the time too, which I found very interesting.
And I need to acknowledge the soundtrack as well, very lovely and charming and expressive altogether.
In conclusion, I feel like even though "Wives and Daughters" may not boast as strong an impact as the likes of Austen's works, this rendition of the work is utterly charming and rich with subtle detail as making it one of the most genuine adaptations I've ever see.
It's mostly a story about various family realities and the way people interact with each other, within the family and elsewhere, nothing apparently grand about it. But there are just so many excellent performances from the different characters and the scenes are so well made it's a constantly engaging.
Justine Waddel as a the main character Molly performs just so perfectly: Molly is a young, naïve and strong willed girl, but utterly good-hearted. She genuinely exudes the right aura for the character - you can feel her innocence and honesty and utter love for her father. It's truly heart warming to see that family of her and her father so "cosily" displayed in so many "casual" day to day interactions - I never found such a truthful display of family love such as in this series.
Many many other actors perform just as well bringing to life their characters' traits. I'm constantly struck at how in the majority of scenes every character gives off lots more than just the dialogue with small gestures, facial expressions, body movements, etc etc, enriching the painting in every scene. You can rewatch this again and again and get more nuances out of it. You truly get intimate with the realities of the characters.
I could write novels about how well just about every other character is acted out so well, in every moment of every scene - I can't begin to endeavour that.
And alongside all of this, you get lots of gleans into many different aspects of society at the time, which never really take the primary focus, but instead by not being directly addressed are naturally shown rather than told - making it, imho, more poignant. AND a glimpse of the scientific society of the time too, which I found very interesting.
And I need to acknowledge the soundtrack as well, very lovely and charming and expressive altogether.
In conclusion, I feel like even though "Wives and Daughters" may not boast as strong an impact as the likes of Austen's works, this rendition of the work is utterly charming and rich with subtle detail as making it one of the most genuine adaptations I've ever see.