"Bleak House" (2005), is a miniseries directed by Justin Chadwick (8 episodes) and Susanna White (7 episodes). This movie is a superb adaptation of the book that many believe is Dickens' best novel.
The plot follows the fortunes of a young woman, Esther Summerson, after she arrives a a country mansion called Bleak House. Esther, played by Anna Maxwell Martin, has grown up unloved and unwelcome, but she finds a comfortable position as companion to a young woman with more means.
Much of the plot hinges on Esther's relationships with those around her. However, an underlying and ongoing theme is a protracted law case--"Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce." The case sucks in--and ultimately destroys--almost all of the potential heirs.
Intertwined in the plot is the relationship of Lady Dedlock (Gillian Anderson) to Esther. And, intimately involved in everything is the lawyer Mr. Tulkinghorn, played by Charles Dance.
The film succeeds because of the strength of the novel, the strength of the adaptation, the strength of the BBC production values, and the strength of the minor characters.
However, what lifts this movie above the basic excellence of other BBC adaptations is the extraordinary acting of Dance and Anderson. You believe that Mr. Tulkinghorn can always achieve what he wants. You believe that he wants power about all else, and you believe that there is no limit to what he'll do to achieve that power.
Gillian Anderson was born to play Lady Dedlock. With her slender, erect figure, her incredible blue eyes, and her unremittingly haughty demeanor, she becomes Lady Dedlock. Obviously, Gillian Anderson is an attractive woman. However, this attractiveness reaches new heights when she portrays Lady Honoria Dedlock. Try this experiment: go to Google Image, and click on "Gillian Anderson, X-Files." Then click on "Gillian Anderson, Lady Dedlock." You'll see what I mean.
Bleak House is not a happy novel, and the film is not a happy film. The directors make the movie very depressing by showing repeated scenes of the dirt and degradation found in 19th Century London. When the location is one of the country estates, they avoid the pleasure we would get from grass, trees, and flowers. When they switch to the rural scenes, the directors start with a series of jump cuts, accompanied by harsh metallic sounds. They are telling us, "This may be the country, but don't expect a break from the grim story lines."
I think this movie would be better seen on the large screen. However, it was made for the small screen, and it certainly worked well enough on DVD. If you love Dickens, this film is a must see. If you don't love Dickens, it's still a must see. Find it and watch it.
The plot follows the fortunes of a young woman, Esther Summerson, after she arrives a a country mansion called Bleak House. Esther, played by Anna Maxwell Martin, has grown up unloved and unwelcome, but she finds a comfortable position as companion to a young woman with more means.
Much of the plot hinges on Esther's relationships with those around her. However, an underlying and ongoing theme is a protracted law case--"Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce." The case sucks in--and ultimately destroys--almost all of the potential heirs.
Intertwined in the plot is the relationship of Lady Dedlock (Gillian Anderson) to Esther. And, intimately involved in everything is the lawyer Mr. Tulkinghorn, played by Charles Dance.
The film succeeds because of the strength of the novel, the strength of the adaptation, the strength of the BBC production values, and the strength of the minor characters.
However, what lifts this movie above the basic excellence of other BBC adaptations is the extraordinary acting of Dance and Anderson. You believe that Mr. Tulkinghorn can always achieve what he wants. You believe that he wants power about all else, and you believe that there is no limit to what he'll do to achieve that power.
Gillian Anderson was born to play Lady Dedlock. With her slender, erect figure, her incredible blue eyes, and her unremittingly haughty demeanor, she becomes Lady Dedlock. Obviously, Gillian Anderson is an attractive woman. However, this attractiveness reaches new heights when she portrays Lady Honoria Dedlock. Try this experiment: go to Google Image, and click on "Gillian Anderson, X-Files." Then click on "Gillian Anderson, Lady Dedlock." You'll see what I mean.
Bleak House is not a happy novel, and the film is not a happy film. The directors make the movie very depressing by showing repeated scenes of the dirt and degradation found in 19th Century London. When the location is one of the country estates, they avoid the pleasure we would get from grass, trees, and flowers. When they switch to the rural scenes, the directors start with a series of jump cuts, accompanied by harsh metallic sounds. They are telling us, "This may be the country, but don't expect a break from the grim story lines."
I think this movie would be better seen on the large screen. However, it was made for the small screen, and it certainly worked well enough on DVD. If you love Dickens, this film is a must see. If you don't love Dickens, it's still a must see. Find it and watch it.