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"!

The Impressionists with Richard Armitage as Claude Monet

Richard Armitage and Amanda Root in The Impressionists

Three reasons to see The Impressionists:

1. Richard Armitage as a young Claude Monet (this is reason enough, surely!).
2. Some of the most gorgeous photography you will ever see in film, as the director tries to make the film look like an impressionist painting (and succeeds). 
3. And he ends with Amanda Root at the end of the film (no spoiler as you can see them in the photo above).

This is not the best miniseries you will ever see, nor does it have the best acting you will ever see. And yet it is so great to watch. All you need is an appreciation for the beauty of impressionist paintings, or an appreciation for the beauty of Richard Armitage. Granted he is in some pretty odd costumes with some unusual facial hair, but after a while this all fades away and you start to appreciate him as Monet.

I had two reasons for purchasing this DVD. The first one is listed above as number one. But the other reason was that I am hopefully going avec ma famille to Paris this summer and I wanted to imbibe some French scenery and culture before I go. I have to watch Amelie and La Vie en Rose as well so I'll review those at a later date.

Old Monet in The Impressionists as played by Julian Glover

This is a three part miniseries done in flashbacks as an 80 year old Monet recalls his early days as a painter, with his friends and associates in the Impressionist movement, to a visiting journalist. I guess you would call it a docudrama and that is really the best way to think of this film. You will learn a ton about the painters, their famous paintings and the stories behind them, and you will enjoy it much better than if it was a straight dry documentary. The English accents may jar you at first, but this is a BBC production after all.

You will absolutely fall in love with not only Monet, but the young Bazille, who I knew nothing about. And Renoir comes off as an absolute sweetie in this. Manet is fascinating to watch, as is the crazed Cezanne but I really wanted to slap Degas by the end of this film. What a wanker as the Brits would say (it's not such a bad word in Canada so I can say that!).

The Impressionists DVD cover

Anyway, go ahead and watch this one as it is a feast for your senses and a real treat for someone like me who is tired of winter and longing for the scenery of Giverny, Normandy and Provence.

Now I had better just keep reading my French phrase book in order to avoid a disaster like last time in France when I said "Excusez-moi. Mon francais est pauvre" instead of "Mon francais est mauvais". My french is impoverished??? Well, perhaps it is. Needs money!

Sir Colin Firth? Just a rumour, but it has a certain ring to it!

From King Colin Firth to Sir Colin Firth? Just a rumour!

We won't find out about whether or not a knighthood is imminent until the list is posted in June, but my guess is a no for the moment. He just seems too young even though he thinks his career has peaked! It would make Hugh Grant really really mad however, which might be fun to watch.

For the link to the article from E! online, click here:

http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/b229370_true_false_colin_firth_getting_knighted.html


Now, while I am on the Colin Firth topic, I found some interesting photos on the blog of his ex-wife, Meg Tilly.  It seems that his son Will, who would be about 18 now, looks a lot like Colin. Meg has a really cute photo of Will when he was younger in her photo collection on her site. If you scroll down the page on the link below you will find a photo of Will Firth in a red shirt playing with some Ghost Buster toys. No need for a DNA test on the paternity of this kid!

http://www.officialmegtilly.com/blog/will/

OK, I am done with idle gossip for the time being. Back to watching Richard Armitage playing Claude Monet in The Impressionists.  Droooool!  Art galleries will never be the same for me.

Dean Spanley - Jeremy Northam, Peter O'Toole, Sam Neill and reincarnation of dogs!

Dean Spanley Poster starring Jeremy Northam, Sam Neill and Peter O'Toole

My husband (the Squire) went to the video store last week and asked them for "That Edwardian film about the guy who thinks he is a dog".  He was handed Wolfman by a girl at Blockbuster who couldn't have been more than 17.  He finally gave up and came home with Hot Tub Time Machine! So of course, I just ordered it for myself from Amazon (along with The Impressionists, which I will review later). He's a good man to try to rent it for me however.

Dean Spanley is a little sleeper of a film that will warm your heart on a cold winter night. Based on a 1936 novella by Lord Dunsany, the Edwardian setting will appeal to all who are in Downton Abbey withdrawal. Peter O'Toole and Jeremy Northam play a father and son who don't quite see eye to eye, especially on the subject of the loss of two family members. Jeremy Northam narrates this in his mellifluous Mr. Knightley voice and although the film starts slowly, it is a lovely build up to a heart warming conclusion.

Sam Neill as Dean Spanley

Sam Neill, in the title role, plays a quirky clergyman with an unusual interest in dogs and a real hatred for cats and pigs.  Jeremy Northam's character, Henslowe Fisk, is sufficiently intrigued with the Dean to tempt him to dinner with his favourite Hungarian wine (Imperial Tokay).  A few small glasses of this rare wine brings out recollections of a past life (as a Welsh Spaniel!) in the Dean.  Sam Neill is a hoot to watch as he is transported by the wine.

Jeremy Northam and Peter O'Toole as the Fisks in Dean Spanley

Peter O'Toole gives a masterful performance as the crusty but gradually softening Horatio Fisk, as only a classic British actor of his generation could do.  Supporting roles by Judy Parfitt as the housekeeper/cook and Aussie Bryan Brown as the conveyancer who helps obtain the Tokay provide some comic relief.  And the dogs in this film will steal your heart.

So if you have ever truly loved a dog, and have a weakness for well done period drama, this film will also steal your heart.  Our local Blockbuster actually had 2 copies but it is mine now! I think I may watch it again this week...

Jane Eyre filming location. My afternoon at Haddon Hall...

Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska from Jane Eyre at Haddon Hall aka Thornfield Hall

In the summer of 2009, I was lucky enough to go to the Peak District in Derbyshire for a few days, part of a longer tour of Scotland and Northern England. My husband (The Squire) and I stayed in darling Bakewell for a few nights and thankfully The Squire was driving, as this is not a part of England well served by trains. Haddon Hall and Chatsworth were only a hop skip and a jump away from the centre of Bakewell. These are the photos from our afternoon at Haddon Hall. We had been at Chatsworth all morning, and ended up going back in the late afternoon after we were finished seeing Haddon Hall. There is much more to see at Chatsworth, especially outdoors, so it was a great way of breaking up the day. Haddon Hall was a much less crowded spot to have lunch too, and it is only a few minutes drive away as I recall.

Note that these photos are in gorgeous HD if you click on them twice to expand them. My talented photographer will make you feel as if you are right there!

Haddon Hall (Thornfield Hall) near Bakewell, Derbyshire from the approach

The restaurant at Haddon Hall is in the 17th century stable block, with topiary out front!

Main entrance to Haddon Hall under the North West Tower

Lower Courtyard at Haddon Hall just before a rain shower!

The Chapel at Haddon Hall dates from the 15th Century

The wonky windows at Haddon Hall really do undulate. It's not an illusion!

A little sitting area jutting out from the Long Gallery of Haddon Hall. Note the light grayish wood paneling. You'll see a lot of that in Jane Eyre.

This is the outside of the sitting area of the Long Gallery from the photo above.  It overlooks the gardens of Haddon Hall.

Haddon Hall's gorgeous gardens dating from the Elizabethan era.

Note the large stone ball finials capping the newel posts at Haddon Hall. You will see these in the film!

Sorry that I am in this photo, but the flowers were just so gorgeous!

We had lunch in the adorable restaurant which is at the foot of the stairs at the main entrance (below the imposing North-West Tower). There was a little rain shower while we were inside the building, which worked out perfectly. It had just stopped by the time we popped out into the gardens after the tour of the public part of the house.  Lord and Lady Manners actually live in the house, so it is not entirely open to visitors. I will be interested to see the parts of the house which are in the film, but which we were unable to view. I wish I had a better photo of the Long Gallery and one of the Banqueting Hall, but if you go on the website for Haddon Hall, they have a lovely 360 degree virtual tour.
The history of this house is very interesting.  Here is the description from the Haddon Hall website:

"Haddon Hall is probably the finest example of a fortified medieval manor house in existence. Present-day Haddon Hall dates from the 12th Century to the early 17th Century, whereupon it lay dormant for over two hundred years from 1700 until the 1920s, when the 9th Duke and Duchess of Rutland restored the house and gardens, and once again made it habitable.

Avoiding fire; warfare; family misfortune and changing fashions, little has changed over the recent centuries and Haddon provides a unique view of early English life and history."

I'll conclude with an aerial shot of the grounds of Haddon Hall, also from their website.

Haddon Hall Derbyshire, aerial view

I'd love to go back there someday soon. The entire Peak District was gorgeous. Now I know why Lizzy Bennet was quite content with this county after all, although the Lakes District is gorgeous too. I'll save that one for another post!