3 Movie Reviews: Our Mutual Friend, Emma, The Young Victoria

While in The Ohio I watched a few movies (we stayed up very late and tended to get up much too early, but isn't that how vacation is supposed to be?)

In case you are in need of something new and good to watch, here are my very brief reviews:

Our Mutual Friend

The opening scene put me off at first--it seemed to fake to me--but soon after that, I forgot all about my apprehensions and fell headlong into the movie. 

This movie follows the book in all the major plot developments (as far as I can remember), but it cuts out some subplots--there are quite a few subplots in the book, and I think you'll agree with me that although it would have been fun to have everything depicted, the movie would have been much, much too long. 

(Because I realize that, I didn't miss them too terribly, though, the subplot that was included was one of my least favorite: it had to be included because it influences the major plot in minor ways.  Pity though, because I really had no interest in it.)

I think reading the book first is a great idea, because a few scenes will mean more to you for having done so.

Be prepared to be sucked into this movie.  There are some great love stories going on--with some really messed up relationships providing a perfect contrast--and the really bad guy is Very Scary.  (Which might taint your view of the latest BBC Sense and Sensibility because he plays Colonel Brandon--though, he's so different a character in each, you'll probably be able to pretend it's a completely different actor).

Emma (BBC 2009)

I've heard nothing but rave reviews about this movie, and although I didn't get to see it until just last week, I put so much faith in the first 15 minutes (which I had seen) and the reviews of others that bought it for my mom for her birthday.

Now that I have seen it, I can join with her (and many others) in singing it's praises.  I've never particularly cared for the book Emma, so little in fact, that I skimmed most of it.  BUT! This movie has a fantastic view of the true situation of the characters.  Emma is all alone, left to care for a father who she loves too dearly to part with, and who is too selfish and myopic to let her go.  That may or may not excuse her stupidity in your eyes, but it certainly garners some sympathy from me.

There is plenty of playful banter and humorous situations to keep the audience laughing--and of course, *SPOILER! (though, I'm guessing most of you already know the plot and conclusion)*   Mr. Knightley's declarations of love are well worth the wait and quite touching.

*END SPOILER*

The Young Victoria

I loved that the love story in many ways took a backseat to the political intrigue.  Because I'm sure that's pretty much how it was for Victoria (at least at first). 

I have very little by way of historical knowledge to say whether this movie is true to reality--but, frankly, I don't care.  I watched this as a romance and a romance is what I got.

The basic gist of the plot is that Victoria (who has had little, if any, by way of preparation) becomes Queen of England at a very young age.  She is being courted (both politically and romantically) by the man who becomes her prime minister. At the same time, her distant cousin from Germany is thrust into the scene by men who want to secure Victoria's allegiance to them.

He falls in love with her.

She is undecided about many things, including him.

An enjoyable film.  And I've been told that the real Victoria's letters to her Prince were quite romantic--it seems they really were very much in love with each other.  At some point, I'm going to have to find out for myself.

So!  In one vacation I saw two movies I've been wanting to see, and one I'd never heard of.  And how often is it that you see three movies in a week and like all of them?  Maybe I'm just partial to things Brittish.