Tag: Sam Claflin

The Forsytes/The Count of Monte Cristo Reviews

When life becomes too much, sometimes all you need is a good BPD (British Period Drama) to make you feel better.

The Forsytes

The new series, The Forsytes, premiered last weekend on PBS. It is based on The Forsythe Saga series by John Galsworthy. In 1880s London, the Forsyte family is new money traveling up the social ladder. Anne Forsyte (Francesca Annis) is the matriarch. Her sons, James (Jack Davenport) and Jolyon Sr. (Stephen Moyer), run the family firm with the help of their sons, Soames (Joshua Orpin) and Jo Jr. (Danny Griffin). Soames is all about work, while his cousin has forgone his dream of becoming an artist.

On the home front, Jo Jr. has been married to socialite Frances (Tuppence Middleton) for a decade. He is raising her now 18-year-old daughter, June (Justine Emma Moore), from a previous marriage as his own. There is also Louisa Byrne (Eleanor Tomlinson), a former maid servant turned seamstress, whom he was involved with before his marriage.

Soames has just met Irene Heron (Millie Gibson), a ballet dancer whose world has just turned upside down. There is a palpable attraction, but is it enough to get to the altar and have a happy ending?

Having not read the original text or watched the previous series, this review is based on this adaptation. So far, I am enjoying this series. It has everything I could ask for: drama, romance, family troubles, beautiful costumes, etc.

The Count of Monte Cristo

Based on the novel of the same name by Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo is the story of Edmond Dantes (Sam Claflin). A sailor who is about to marry a fisherwoman, Mercedes (Ana Girardot). The night before they are to say their vows, Edmond is arrested and accused of treason. Thrown into prison, he is advised by fellow prisoner Abbe Faria (Jeremy Irons) on how to seek revenge when he is released from jail. Abbe also warns that revenge, if gone too far, is an emotional poison.

Again, I have not read the book. My only knowledge of this story is the 2002 film. So far, I am enjoying it. Edmond is a man who goes from having it all to losing everything and becoming embittered by those who betrayed him.

Do I recommend them both? Yes.

The Forsytes aired on PBS on Sunday at 9 pm. The Count of Monte Cristo airs on PBS on Sunday at 10 pm.

Enola Holmes Movie Review

Classic books were given the title of “classic” for a reason. However, that does not mean that a modern writer cannot put their own spin on the tale.

Enola Holmes premiered Wednesday on Netflix. Based on the series of books by Nancy Springer, Millie Bobby Brown stars as the title character. Raised by her widowed mother Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter), Enola receives an education that is extremely unusual for a young lady in Victorian era England. When her mother disappears, Enola’s much older brothers come home to take charge.

Her oldest brother Mycroft (Sam Claflin) is conventional in every sense of the word. Her second oldest brother, Sherlock (Henry Cavill) is more empathetic, but still concerned that his sister was not raised as she ought to have been. Before she can be sent to a school that promises to make her a proper young lady, Enola runs away to find her mother. Along the way, she meets a young aristocrat, Tewkesbury, (Louis Partridge) who is also running away and a new mystery is set at her feet.

I would categorize this movie as cute and empowering (if that makes sense). The message, I think, is the most important part of the film and feels very relevant for 2020. That being said, it is not without it’s flaws. However, it is one of those movies that is both fun to watch and an inspiration, especially for the younger female audience.

I recommend it.

Enola Holmes is available for streaming on Netflix.

Love Wedding Repeat Review

Defined simply, a wedding is a public commitment between two individuals who are ready, willing and able to make a life together. But we all know that weddings are far from simple.

Love Wedding Repeat premiered on Netflix last month.

All Jack (Sam Claflin) wants is to make sure that his sister Hayley (Eleanor Tomlinson) has a perfect wedding day. The day starts out smooth, but then it goes to Hades. Combine Jack’s angry ex-girlfriend Amanda (Freida Pinto), his dream girl who he has unspoken feelings for, Dina (Olivia Munn) and Hayley’s drug addled ex-boyfriend, Marc (Jack Farthing), and you have nothing but trouble.

Hoping to prevent embarrassment, Hayley asks Jack to put a sedative in Marc’s champagne glass. But before they can sit down, their places at the table are switched and the perfect wedding day is about to descend into chaos.

I can kind of see why this film got the reaction it did, but it is not as bad as it is made out to be. The movie slightly invokes the screwball comedies of the 1930’s and 1940’s, but with a modern twist. It’s nowhere near award worthy, but as romantic comedies go, I’ve seen much worse.

Do I recommend it? I am leaning toward yes.

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