Falling Asleep
Well it has been a busy week in scenic Nelson, of which I will discuss further and in detail in the next exciting post, but this brief article will detail, in full, the recent week's viewing which sent me to sleep. Sleep is the most important part of the day for me and I am grateful for the makers of each and every one of these quality films that they did not make a gripping enough production to keep me awake.
1. Persuasion, BBC Jane Austen
2007
Lasted roughly fifteen minutes. Something in the ponderous pacing of this more autumnal of the Austen ouvre hit a real sweet spot for sleep. Also Sally Hawkins really drags down the tenor of the whole production, she seems really morose the whole time.
2. Madame Bovary, BBC Gustave Flaubert
2000
Madeleine said it wasn't very good, but the book is a classic page turner so feel maybe she needs to have read first, judged later. I chose another adventure with this dramatic presentation of Emma Bovary's treachery, which was to fall into a deep slumber after five minutes. Highly recommended.
3. '71
2014
A troubled film about Ireland's past, not especially painted with the greatest nuance. A soldier gets caught behind enemy lines. The enemy is pretty hard to tell in Ireland at this point and the film, eventually, and heavy handedly, shows that both sides are culpable and one side seems to be following their own pathway (whaia te aratika); a pathway of killing their own side, possibly to pin the blame on the Catholics, possibly because they are embedded IRA members- the film offers no clarity. I was loose on clarity after about the first twenty minutes, because I had fallen to sleep.
4. Washington Square, Henry James
1997
All star cast in this quality production of Washington Square. Poignant first scene of the daughter having a recital and urinating all over herself in front of her mortified relations. Film struggled to recapture the elegance of this early scene, and I quickly fell asleep. Although, there was something in the narrative where this young rake wants to marry the wealthy but weird daughter of Albert Finney, and Finney not being happy which means I will probably re-watch to fill in the considerable gaps.
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| Sally Hawkins looks like this through the entirety of the production of this Jane Austen page turner. |
1. Persuasion, BBC Jane Austen
2007
Lasted roughly fifteen minutes. Something in the ponderous pacing of this more autumnal of the Austen ouvre hit a real sweet spot for sleep. Also Sally Hawkins really drags down the tenor of the whole production, she seems really morose the whole time.
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| Lead actress is Frances O'Connor in this emotional rollercoaster of a snoozefest. |
2. Madame Bovary, BBC Gustave Flaubert
2000
Madeleine said it wasn't very good, but the book is a classic page turner so feel maybe she needs to have read first, judged later. I chose another adventure with this dramatic presentation of Emma Bovary's treachery, which was to fall into a deep slumber after five minutes. Highly recommended.
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| Not actual Catholics, but from Sheffield because they look similar. |
3. '71
2014
A troubled film about Ireland's past, not especially painted with the greatest nuance. A soldier gets caught behind enemy lines. The enemy is pretty hard to tell in Ireland at this point and the film, eventually, and heavy handedly, shows that both sides are culpable and one side seems to be following their own pathway (whaia te aratika); a pathway of killing their own side, possibly to pin the blame on the Catholics, possibly because they are embedded IRA members- the film offers no clarity. I was loose on clarity after about the first twenty minutes, because I had fallen to sleep.
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| Fashion blunders in the masterful, but sleep inducing film adaptation of Washington Square. |
4. Washington Square, Henry James
1997
All star cast in this quality production of Washington Square. Poignant first scene of the daughter having a recital and urinating all over herself in front of her mortified relations. Film struggled to recapture the elegance of this early scene, and I quickly fell asleep. Although, there was something in the narrative where this young rake wants to marry the wealthy but weird daughter of Albert Finney, and Finney not being happy which means I will probably re-watch to fill in the considerable gaps.
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mmm
ReplyDeletewatched most of these trifles and although not quite so sleep inducing, none of them are likely to pass into my lifetime top 100s. 71 was particularly disappointing as I thought the central actor was particularly good but the story was weak and the direction amateur.
We watched The Shift last night which should have been an interesting spin on the Do Not Resuscitate debate but ended up being a poorly made, badly acted melodrama that pushed the old "keep alive at all cost" argument without a sideways glance.
John Oliver is back so all is not bad.
Agreed, actually listening to Persuasian at present, god it is boring.
ReplyDeleteI've read Bovary (didn't really enjoy it, wanted to, but I don't know, just don't get into the whole bored house wife novels), Washington Square (really enjoyed book but it was pretty overwhelmingly misogynist at times, one of the more sadly empty female characters), and watched 71 (completely agree with both of you contrived - missed Leigh Hart jumping out from behind something shouting "drama" every ten minutes, heavy handed, and just a little bit anglophile - the english guys are a little useless but mostly good, but don't put an irishman in power, didn't sleep though, your power of sleeping through things is enviable).
John Oliver is a pleasant news show, I like the actual genuine investigatory journalism engaged in rather than the lazy Colbert and Daily Show ripping off mainstream media outlets and just laughing at them.