Customer Reviews

Madame Bovary [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The second BBC stab at Flaubert's novel in recent memory, successful primarily for the delicately shaded performance of Frances O'Connor (who did similarly elegant work in the recent feature of MANSFIELD PARK). Handsome enough physical production, good supporting cast, but many unnecessary additions in character and plot points from the screenwriter, and considerably more English than French in feel (the estimable Eileen Atkins, in particular, makes the elder Madame Bovary seem like a refugee from E.F. Benson). Closer in spirit to the novel than the Chabrol film, with a hopelessly pragmatic Emma in Isabelle Huppert; still eclipsed by the MGM version, where Jennifer Jones' neurotic beauty seems very close to the ideal realization of the book's elusive anti-heroine. Enjoyable enough, but not on a par with the BBC's finest adaptations.

This controversial novel by Gustave Flaubert was beautifully portrayed in this authentic to the period film. All of the actors were riveting. Frances O'Connor was a perfect Emma, and Greg Wise shined as Rodolphe Boulanger. It is a shame though, when a French provincial woman suffers the consequences of debouchery and excess. Beware of the nudity.

I saw this mini-series on tv and LOVED it!!! Emma is just SOOOO flawed in that she's constantly looking for romantic fullfillment outside of her marriage since her husband, although well meaning, is clueless about his wife's desires and needs (not to mention her extra curricular activities!). I only give this review 3 starts instead of 5 because I am utterly dissappointed that there is no US version DVD! HELLO???? What about those of us on the other side of the pond? We're not all illiterate and some of us do actually read classics like this and would like to have it for our collections!!

Frances O'Conner shines in this adaptation. She portrays the infamous Emma in a light that lets the viewer sympathize with the character while not covering her obvious flaws. I found the film to be quite entertaining and enjoyed watching her hopeless search for romance and thrill in the provinces of France. Excellent performance by Greg Wise as well.

Frances O'Connor is the best madame Bovary ever! She's exactly like I have always imagined Emma while reading this book for many years. This is my favorite Madame Bovary movie.

I didn't really enjoy this adaption. O'Connor just didn't fit the bill to play Emma. I never got any sense of passion or tension in her, she played it too flat. And a little over the top in some places. But never right on. It was only ok, nothing miraculous.

The whole movie just felt "wrong". I won't be watching it again.

I'm sure that Ms. O'Connor is a good actress, but this movie wasn't good. I wasn't empathetic toward Madame Bovary at all. Dr. Bovary may have been a conservative man, but he didn't come off as cruel or otherwise deserving of a cheating wife.

The story cut off suddenly and was otherwise tedious. I am sure that the actual novel was much better, but there was no emotion in the movie. Waste of time.