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Reviews
Sisi (2021)
Could have been a great opportunity to tell Sisi's real story,but it doesn't...
I have watched the 1950's Sisi-trilogy many times and still do (guilty pleasure!).I know they are over-romanticized but Romy Schneider and Karl Heinz Böhm still look so gorgeous on the screen. Since I have read a lot about Sisi's true lifestory it always stuck in the back of my mind that she deserves a true telling in a film or a tv-series...I was very excited when I saw these series announced! I have watched this Sisi and am disappointed! The story-telling is poorly ; it jumps from important to unimportant bits with no connection. The actor who plays Franz Joseph is obviously chosen for his good looks but he doesn't connect to Sisi and one thing that is wellknown is Franz Joseph's love for his wife depite their many conflicts in marital life! The costumedesigner's way of working is a big mistery to me; most dresses are more suitable on a fashiondesigner's catwalk in 2021 and not accurate at all. Why would Sisi wear a glittering dress with bear shoulders at a breakfasttable ? No idea...
I could go on but I won't...
I had hoped for a real story told, but this Sisi series doesn't work for me. Advise: read about Sisi's real life and watch this and compare both...
Love & Friendship (2016)
I have tried....but no!
I have watched Love & Friendship 5 times now ; the first 2 times in the cinema ( including a preview in Amsterdam with director Whit Stillman present) and was dissapointed. As a huge Austen-fan (books & film/tv-adaptations) I had high expectations about L&F. I always want to give new ones at least a chance and not judge beforehand. Sometimes watching it 2 or 3 times when I'm in doubt ,usually helps. I always find myself enjoy watching different versions on dvd and not compare them too hard with each other or the books. But it did not help for this adaptation.
Lately I watched again at home and the costumes/filmlocations is wonderful to look at. But I am used to English humor and their
sharp timing and it just isn't there. The only exception is Tom Bennett as James Martin, the only character that made me laugh. Kate Bekinsale just rattles all her lines like she's reading a telephonebook while catching a train, dissappointing! Stephen Fry as Mr.Johnson had only a few sharp and very funny lines but again ;English timing was not there ;such a shame. If I was the director I would have given the well-loved names like Stephen Fry,James Fleet and for instance Jemma Redgrave more space in the film and make use of their tremendous experience.
So ; only 4 stars for the costumes and the filmlocations.