I just finished watching this splended film, and want to start it again right away. Honestly, I can't get enough. I have spent the last half hour searching google, as well as any other website I can find, with any information about both this film itself and the author of whom it originated, Elizabeth Gaskell. What a treat this one has been for me....already one of my absolute favorites, I must own it, and SOON!
Two fabulous actors whom I had never seen prior to this movie were the hero and heroine in this film.... Richard Armitage as the seeminly hard as a rock John Thornton, and Daniela Denby-Ashe as the "progressive" outspoken Margaret Hale. The two meet in a town in Northern England called Milton, where Mr. Thornton has spent his life working and toiling away to eventually increase in great fortune and prosperity, but also has much pride and prejudice (no pun intended) attached as well. Ms. Hale has come from the south of England (hence the title) where life moves a little slower, and her opinions of truth and fairness are steadfast. The story that comes out of this meeting is complicated and fascinating. This film not only tackles the struggles and complexity of love, but also other relationships, class struggles, ideological struggles, and more. There is amazing depth within the relationships of these characters that span across classes and situations, where there is society struggles and misunderstanding. There is upheaval, strike, but also truth.
This whole tale was based on the book with the same name by Elizabeth Gaskell, written in 1855. At this point in time, Elizabeth was thought to be a "radical" in a sense. She wrote about upheaval and the struggle of classes, which was unheard of back then. But she wanted to write truth, and she was good at it. She took on the bold issues of her day, not shying away from working vs middle class contraversy, and this film is a wonderful example of her bold work. I think that she would be proud to see it on the big screen.
Overall, I was extremely pleased and surprised by this film. It had some essense of "Pride and Prejudice" and I do admit to thinking back to Jane Austen occasionally throughout. However, it also had it's very own flavor and feel, and kept me wanting more and more. I couldn't tear my eyes off the screen for most of it, and honestly did not know how it would end. I am such a sucker for a happy romantic ending, and I truly didn't know if that would come to pass at the end of this bold story. I have to give it my highest rating, a 1 Diaper Day.....absolutely FABULOUS!
I must sign off, I have to watch North and South again.....
