43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Understated Drama with Outstanding Performances, August 23, 2004
This review is from: Therese Raquin (DVD)
I keeping echoing over and over....I watched this presentation because I aspire to see every possible iota of work available by the outstanding actor, Alan Rickman.
Each time I view Rickman's work solely for that reason, I am rewarded with an outstanding piece of entertainment I would have otherwise missed. This Masterpiece Theater presentation of Emile Zola's acclaimed novel,'Therese Raquin', is one more gem in that growing list of eclectic, but always exceedingly high-quality, films that make up the body of Rickman's work.
This tragic drama of a simple household populated by complex characters quietly unfolds in a sparsely stated manner, completely divergent from the shocking passion and emotional turbulence bubbling and smoldering under the surface of this story of illicit love, its requisite deceit, and the tragic explosion of events which are born of its temptations.
Kate Nelligan (The Cider House Rules) in the title role reminded me of Tiny Louise in what I believe was Tina's debut role as another dallying daughter-in-law, Robert Ryan's in her case, Griselda, simmering with adulterous lust for Aldo Ray in 'God's Little Acre'. Brian Cox, as Laurent, Therese's passionate lover, bears little resemblance to his recurring role of Ward Abbott in the recent 'Bourne' films or even his smaller role as Doug Durwin in 'Minus Man'. Simply said, his Laurent is 'deadly sexual'. Kenneth Cranham was seemingly perfectly cast as Camille, Therese's doomed cuckold, and certainly far removed from the villainous hitman, Gibson, in Britain's 2001 film, 'Shiner'. English actress, Mona Washbourne, shines herself in her role as Madame Raquin, with whom Camille, her son, and his wife Therese reside, and over whose literal head Therese and Laurent shockingly cavort sexually, while in truth nothing about Therese goes over her mother-in-law's head, either before or after she becomes a helpless invalid left to the care of Therese.
Alan Rickman (Vidal) in his role as artist/friend is resplendent in curls and could be my friend any day. Alan always makes the most of his role, no matter how small. Vidal is absolutely no exception, showing all the talent, charm, and creativity Alan's dedicated fans would swoon over in the years following this early TV role.
Rickman fans must watch this early work of Alan to be able to truthfully say they 'could see his talent unfolding even then'. Lovers of drama and tragedy, love and lust, and a simple time-old story very well told will love this TV series dubbed by the "DAILY EXPRESS" to be 'One of the best serials ever seen on TV....electrifying'. They were not exaggerating by even one volt.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic, June 11, 2011
This review is from: Therese Raquin (DVD)
I originally saw this series in the early 80s and the performance of Kate Nelligan left a huge impression on me as a 16 year old boy. Nearly 30 years later I knew I had to order it and watching it again I sure wasn't disappointed. A true classic. I want to write her some fan mail. What a woman! If you're thinking of buying this, do not hesitate, I doubt you'll be disappointed.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Kate Nelligan?, January 5, 2010
This review is from: Therese Raquin (DVD)
IMHO Kate Nelligan did nothing to make me believe that Laurent would have fallen in love with her so desperately. Throughout the film, she seems to be suffering from depression so severe that to get a smile on her face (or indeed a sign of life) would require drugs more powerful than have yet been discovered. Why did Laurent want this woman so badly? Is this bad acting or bad directing?
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