Michael Gambon- Actor of the Week

Sir Michael Gambon

Sir Michael Gambon is a Dublin born treasure of the British stage and screen has done so many wonderful period dramas, I will never be able to list them all. He also seems to be quite a character. He flies planes and drives a Ferrari and has "Gambon Corner" on BBC's Top Gear named after the location of his his near roll of a Suzuki Liana in their "Star in a reasonably priced car" segment.

Although he keeps his private life quiet, he became a father for the third time in 2009 at the age of 68 with the then 43-year-old set designer Philippa Hart, with whom he already had a two year-old. He has been married to his wife, retired mathematician and staunch Catholic Lady Anne Gambon for 50 years. He and Lady Anne still share a house in the countryside of Kent, but he visits his other family regularly. OK, enough with the titillating gossip and on to his wonderful work.

Michael Gambon as Mr. Woodhouse with Romola Garai as Emma

I am showing my bias here again with one of my favourite adaptations ever, Emma 2009. Sir Michael Gambon does a wonderful job of the worrywart father Mr. Woodhouse who clings to Emma, ever fearful of being left alone.

Michael Gambon as Squire Hamley in Wives and Daughters

With the wonderfully meaty role of Squire Hamley in Wives and Daughters, Gambon really gets to flex his acting chops. Poor Squire Hamley goes through a contrariety of emotions, from the love he has for his cultured wife to the rage he vents at his eldest son (and huge disappointment) Osborne and then through sorrow, confusion and on to pride and happiness in his remaining family by the end of the series.

Michael Gambon as Lord Marchmain in Brideshead Revisited with Ben Whishaw and Hayley Atwell

As the aloof Lord Marchmain in Brideshead Revisited 2008, he has a small role, but quite dramatic at the end when he returns to his beloved Brideshead and to his family.

Michael Gambon as Sir William McCordle in Gosford Park

In Gosford Park, Sir Michael plays the head of the house Sir William McCordle. He turns out to be rather a key character in this wonderful ensemble piece. Well, at least Elsie the maid and his dog loved him! The 3 Dames in this film (Helen Mirren, Eileen Atkins and Maggie Smith) thought he was a rotter!

Michael Gambon as Judi Dench's love interest in Cranford

In our beloved Cranford, Sir Michael Gambon plays Mr. Thomas Holbrook, the long lost love interest of Miss Matty Jenkins (Judi Dench) and a tender story it is. I love the way he eats his peas!

Michael Gambon as King George V in The King's Speech

Lending a note of authority to the role of King George V, grandfather to the present Queen Elizabeth in The King's Speech, he shows why the relationships between English rulers and their fathers have usually been fractious.

Michael Gambon as Dumbledore in Harry Potter

And of course, we all know Sir Michael as Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series. He had big shoes to fill after the death of Richard Harris in 2002 after filming the first two Harry Potter films.

Michael Gambon in Longitude 2000

I had forgotten about Michael Gambon starring as John Harrison in Longitude. Sounds like a good birthday gift for The Squire. Good thing he rarely reads my blog. My secret is safe!

The Lost Prince 2003

The Lost Prince is on my to be watched list. I think I saw it when it first came out, but I may not have seen the whole thing. Michael Gambon plays King Edward VII in this one, grandfather to the "Lost Prince" John. There seem to be a lot of folks who love this one about the epileptic uncle of our present Queen who died of a seizure at the age of 13. Any fans out there?

Listing of period films starring Michael Gambon (thanks to Cheryl at Enchanted Serenity of Period Films):

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2008)
Brideshead Revisited (2008)
Cranford (2007)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Amazing Grace (2006)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Being Julia (2004)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Sylvia (2003)
The Lost Prince (2003)
Path to War (2002)
Charlotte Gray (2001)
Gosford Park (2001)
Wives and Daughters (1999)
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
The Last September (1999)
Dancing at Lughnasa (1998)
The Wings of the Dove (1997)
Mary Reilly (1996)
The Browning Version (1994)
Blood Royal: William the Conqueror (1990)
Much Ado About Nothing (1967)

Jonny Lee Miller- Actor of the Week

Jonny Lee Miller

Jonny Lee Miller has been in some pretty wonderful period dramas. His Mr. Knightley in the 2009 version of Jane Austen's Emma opposite Romola Garai was pretty unforgettable. I didn't think anyone could replace Jeremy Northam as my fave Knightley but I was oh so wrong!

Jonny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley in Emma 2009. Nice cravat!

If there is anyone out there who hasn't seen the 2009 BBC version of Jane Austen's Emma with Romola Garai, you have a real treat in store. Although my sister prefers the 1996 cinematic version with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam (which I still absolutely enjoy), if I could only have one Emma it would be the 2009 version. Both Jonny Lee Miller and Romola Garai do an amazing job and have great chemistry together. The locations and cinematography are pretty awesome too.

Jonny Lee Miller as Lord Byron

If you like your JLM a bit wilder than Mr. Knightley, as Lord Byron (Byron 2003) he is definitely "mad, bad and dangerous to know". Not many people saw this one, but apparently he did a pretty good job. Any of my readers see it? Did you like it?

Jonny Lee Miller and Frances O'Connor in Mansfield Park 1999

I know that the Jane Austen purists in general do not like Mansfield Park 1999, but I actually kind of love it. It veers from the book in it's portrayal of Fanny, but I am not particularly a Fanny "fan" so to speak! The fact that the film makers injected Fanny with a large dose of Jane Austen herself actually improved the film in my opinion. And until we get a properly done Mansfield Park (I understand the BBC Mansfield Park from 1983-with Jonny Lee Miller as Charles Price!-is good but very dated looking now) this is the best one we have. Jonny Lee Miller's Edmund is kind of adorable, I think. No wonder Frances O'Connor is snogging him in the photo above!

Jonny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle in Plunkett & Macleane 1999

In Plunkett & Macleane, a quirky film about a pair of 18th century thieves, Jonny teams up with the wonderful Robert Carlyle, his costar in Trainspotting. A little action, a little comedy, a little techno music and some anachronistic clothing, and you have a nice evening's rental.

Angelina Jolie and Jonny Lee Miller in Hackers 1995

And if you want to see him in his youth, Jonny Lee Miller met his first wife, Angelina Jolie on the set of their film Hackers 1995, about a pair of genius teen computer hackers. Quite a smoking hot couple, despite the awful hairdos!

So here's to a real cutie, Jonny Lee Miller. He has a few vampire films coming out soon (Dark Shadows and Byzantium) but I am hoping for more period drama.

P.S. His new TV series on CBS Elementary, starting September 27 is actually a modern day version of Sherlock Holmes set in NYC.  I can't wait for this even though it is too much to hope that it will be as good as Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch (basically the original British version of the same). Fingers crossed for Elementary, my dears.

Migraine Movies- Jane Eyre 2006 and Emma 2009

Jane Eyre 2006-Toby and Ruth

Ah, the migraine movies. Those nights when I come home from work with my right eye feeling like it's going to pop out and a slightly upset tummy. I need a certain type of film. One of my faves is definitely Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility as the music alone will soothe me. The latest Pride and Prejudice will also work as it has the gorgeous music and is very easy on the eyes. Much as I love P&P 1995, the voice of Mrs. Bennet is too grating for migraine soothing.

This week, I think I was partly guided to Jane Eyre 2006 because the new film version will be coming out in Toronto next weekend, so I was already sort of in the mood. So all 202 minutes of wonderful Jane Eyre later and at least 3 separate weepy moments, I was happily exhausted and ready for bed.

Emma 2009-Romola and Jonny

So last night, when I had again worked a full day and still had just the last dregs of migraine left (migraine hangover I like to call it) I needed another film. So I grabbed Romola and Jonny (Emma 2009), knowing full well that I couldn't finish the whole miniseries in one night, but I gave it a good try. I made it through 2 episodes although I admit to dozing off during the Coles's party. I was lulled to sleep by Emma singing and playing the piano and only woke up when Jane Fairfax had finished exhibiting her talents.

There is something wonderful about a familiar story with gorgeous music and locations that are sheer eye candy. There is always a place for grittier films, just not when you are ill or feeling low. That's when you need the good old soothers. I'm feeling better this morning, but now I have to finish Emma as the last bit is soooooo the best part. When I don't have time for the full miniseries, I just play the ending on Youtube. If you have time for just the ending, here is the proposal:


And now for the adorable ending. Oh that Romola is so spot on as Emma. Her facial expressions alone are worth watching it for:



And here are a few other lovely soothers for when you are feeling poorly:



Have a great weekend and feel free to leave a comment with your favorite "Feeling poorly film"!