Miss Austen Regrets 2008

Miss Austen Regrets 2008

As close as we have to a biopic at this point in time, Miss Austen Regrets is a sweet, slightly sentimental film about the end of Jane Austen's life. It reflects on her history and choices with alternating regret and satisfaction.  As most Jane Austen lovers (and all Jane Austen scholars) have strong opinions about what she was actually like, there will never be a biopic which satisfies everyone. I liked this little film however, and it certainly makes you think. Was she anything like Olivia Williams portrays her? Likely not (she was definitely not that handsome) but it's wonderful to speculate isn't it?

Fanny Knight and Jane Austen- Miss Austen Regrets

The well known loving relationship between Jane Austen and her niece Fanny Knight is portrayed brilliantly in this film. Both Olivia Williams and Imogen Poots (is that a great name or what?) do a wonderful job alternately joking affectionately and then sparring which is what you would expect from a relationship this close.

Cassandra and Jane Austen- Miss Austen Regrets

Greta Scacchi does a marvelous job as Jane's sister Cassandra as does Phyllida Law as her mother Mrs. Austen. We only get a peek at two of Jane's six brothers however, and only a few of her nieces and nephews appear but then again this is only a 90 minute production.

Jane Austen and Rev. Brooke Bridges- Miss Austen Regrets

The most contentious issue in this film would have to be the portrayal of the various men in Jane Austen's life. Cassandra Austen made sure that this topic would be debated for centuries when she burned the majority of Jane's letters (which was her prerogative by the way) so I suppose this is one version of the truth, drawn from the letters which remained.

Her darling children- Miss Austen Regrets

So, all in all, I would highly recommend this film. I think it much better than Becoming Jane (which I still enjoyed, largely because of James McAvoy) and since I got it as a bonus when I purchased Sense and Sensibility 2008, I really can't complain. So go ahead and enjoy another sumptuous offering from the wonderful BBC. What would we do without the Beeb?

Hugh Bonneville- Actor of the Week

Hugh Bonneville- Downton Abbey

Hugh Bonneville has been in so many period pieces that I had trouble narrowing down the photo choices for this post. Of course his most recent role of Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey is giving him a lot of exposure at present but he has worn 19th century garb for a good part of his career!

Hugh Bonneville as Mr. Rushworth in Mansfield Park

He totally cracked me up as the dim witted Mr. Rushworth in Mansfield Park 1999. I mean, get a load of that hair!

Hugh Bonneville as Bernie in Notting Hill

And who didn't love him as Bernie the worst stockbroker ever in Notting Hill? The dinner party scene where he doesn't recognize famous movie star Anna Scott is priceless. (OK, I know it's not period but doesn't the late 90s count now?)

Bernie: What's the pay like in movies? I mean. Last movie. How much did you get paid?
Anna Scott: 15 million dollars.

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Bernie: I'm sorry I am so late. Bollocksed up at work again, I fear. Millions down the drain. 

Hugh Bonneville in The Cazalets

I wish I could say that I had seen Hugh in the 1940s miniseries The Cazalets, but it is still on my wish list. Anyone with a recommendation?

Hugh Bonneville in Daniel Deronda

As Henleigh Grandcourt in Daniel Deronda, Hugh Bonneville is delightfully bad for a change. For anyone who has never seen this one, you are in for a treat. Hugh is amazing as a bad boy and the rest of the film is riveting. The dresses on Romola Garai are pretty fab too and Hugh Dancy is always easy on the eyes. All in all this one is a must see.

Hugh Bonneville as the Prince Regent in Beau Brummell: This Charming Man

From the sublime back to the ridiculous, here he is as the poncy Prince Regent in Beau Brummell. I really liked this film which I only saw recently. Hugh gives us a fascinating glimpse at the insecurities of the man that the Regency Period was named after.

Hugh Bonneville as Rev. Brook Bridges in Miss Austen Regrets

As a poor vicar in Miss Austen Regrets, he gives a tender portrayal of a man still in love with Jane Austen years after he had married another woman. So sweet!

Hugh Bonneville as Mr. Bennet in Lost in Austen

Still stuck in the Regency era, here is Hugh as the wonderful Mr. Bennet in Lost in Austen. He looked like he had a riot with this Jane Austen time travel piece.

And as a bit of fun, here is Hugh Bonneville in the Grand Finale episode of The Vicar of Dibley as Vicar Jeremy Ogilvy who is marrying Geraldine and Harry (Richard Armitage) but who apparently still has a crush on his old classmate Geraldine. So cute! (and I can always find a way to get a bit of Richard Armitage on my blog)

Tom Hiddleston- Actor of the Week

Tom Hiddleston

Tom Hiddleston is getting lots of press lately for his role in War Horse. But we have seen him in a few other period dramas in the past few years (and a Superhero film too!).

Tom Hiddleston as John Plumptree in Miss Austen Regrets

The first time I was aware of Tom Hiddleston was as the adorably clueless John Plumptree trying to woo Jane Austen's niece Fanny Knight in Miss Austen Regrets. He was just so EARNEST!

Tom Hiddleston as William Buxton in Return to Cranford

His lovely curly hair was again on display as the perfectly sweet and wonderfully egalitarian William Buxton in Return to Cranford. Wouldn't we all love to untie that cravat?

Tom Hiddleston as Loki in Thor

This is the only time I have seen his hair dark and straight! As the bad boy Loki in the Superhero flick Thor, he looked like he was having fun NOT being the good guy for a change. He reprises his Loki role later this year in The Avengers.

Tom Hiddleston as F. Scott Fitzgerald in Midnight in Paris

His hair is slicked down into waves for F. Scott Fitzgerald in Woody Allen's wonderful Midnight in Paris. I have seen this film 3 times and I would love to see it again. Ooo-la-la!

Tom Hiddleston as Captain Nicholls in War Horse

Now look at those expressive eyebrows as Captain Nicholls in War Horse. I have not seen this one yet, but my birthday is coming up so perhaps The Squire will accompany me to the cinema. He really does have quite extraordinary brows doesn't he?

Tom Hiddleston and horse in War Horse

Apparently he is now working on playing Prince Hal opposite Jeremy Irons in Henry IV, a TV miniseries production from NBC Universal being distributed by BBC2 and PBS. Can't wait, sounds great!

Have you got a favourite out of these or other roles of Tom Hiddleston's? By the way, is that a great English name or what?

P.S. He got a double first in Classics at Cambridge University (Pembroke College). For those of us not in the UK, that means he's really really smart as well as cute!