Customer Reviews

A Village Affair

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

 

 

Having read the book and now seen the film, still dissatisfied with the ending, but won't spoil it for you. Good characterization around a strong tale. Sophie Ward plays the unhappy, lonely Alice, ripe for an intense relationship with Clodagh, the persistent local extrovert who pursues her. The very talented Kerry Fox obviously enjoys the role, but not even she can carry a jarring change in personality mid-way through. And the writers fail her badly with some cliched, melodramatic lines towards the end. But Sophie Ward is luminous as the blossoming Alice. She manages some extremely difficult emotions with an admirable honesty, and skilfully portrays Alice's changing circumstances. As for art mirroring life, I doubt that she imagined when she played this role that it would be so true for her. Sophie's real life `ending' was a whole lot braver than Joanna Trollope could manage. Certainly worth seeing for quality acting by the main characters, and a sublime supporting cast. END

This writer's work has been "bowdlerised", that is, expurgated, andheterosexualised as to be acceptable for mainstream cinematic viewing. The scriptwriter, producer and director (all women, incidently - for shame) are directly responsible for the way that Ms Trollope's novel about self-discovery, via an unsuccessful marriage and cathartic love affair, has been transformed into a cautionary tale about the kind of woman your mother warned you about. Upon discovery of the affair in the film, Alice (our heroine) goes to her husband and asks for a second chance; in the book, she asks for a divorce. In the book, Alice is a weeping wreck and Clodagh (the 'other woman') determined to show her how to appreciate herself and life; in the film, Alice is post-natally depressed and Clodagh a shallow seducer. In the film, Alice harangues Clodagh for not concealing their relationship; in the book, Alice says she would like to tell everyone. In the film, everyone wants a piece of Alice; in the book, Clodagh loves her as she lets her go, reluctantly, to find her own way. And Alice loves Clodagh as they let each other go, knowing too much emotional baggage would not see them through. In the film, Alice drives 'off into the sunset' (and then...?); in the book, Alice learns to be sufficient unto herself. I rest my case; a good queer story, skewed straight. Hand out the awards to Sophie Ward and Kerry Fox (yay, fabulous Kerry, fellow Kiwi!) who, not for a moment compromise their acting (including some sumptuous lip-locks) to a skilfully doctored script. And another award for Joanna Trollope's excellent story. Watch the film - it's well worth it. And read the book to find out what the author REALLY intended.

I found this film a pleasure to experience. Sophie Ward is stunning. She carries the film as she beautifully captures in a subtle, complex, and very compelling performance, the emotional changes her character is going through. I look forward to seeing it again.

Some people, like Sophie Ward's Alice Jordan, seem to have it all: picture-perfect house, handsome husband (Nathaniel Parker, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries), and charming children (Keira Knightley plays her daughter). Soon after she and Martin, an attorney, move back to his village, however, her mother-in-law, Cecily (Claire Bloom), tries to control their lives. And a bout with post-partum depression, has left the couple's marriage bed cold. At a party, the Jordans meet uninhibited heiress Clodagh (Kerry Fox) to whom Martin takes a shine, but Sophie finds her discomforting. Despite the thriller set-up, Moira Armstrong's sympathetic adaptation of Joanna Trollope's 1989 bestseller doesn't depict an outsider trying to worm her way into another woman's life, but an extravert who helps to bring an introvert out of her shell (Joanna claims Victorian novelist Anthony Trollope as a relation). Once Sophie realizes that Clodagh isn't after her husband, they become friends, and Sophie even begins to paint again, but when friendship turns to romance, coinciding with a visit from Martin's wastrel brother (Jeremy Northam), Sophie risks losing everything she holds dear. If Alice is too sensitive to qualify as a femme fatale, she isn't exactly a heroine either, since she can be just as controlling as Martin's mother and still depends on her parents to provide her income (Michael Gough plays her soft-touch father). In the U.K., Ward made waves when she came out of the closet shortly after making this better-than-average TV movie, unintentionally adding to the story's verisimilitude.

Ok according to other reviews if you read the book you may not like the slight changes in the movie. how about watching the movie and taking it at face value. Very well put together , great acting and plot. Very entertaining and worth owning - highly recomended.

I found this film to be most interesting - having a lesbian in the family made it far more compelling as I tried even more to understand the writer's story below the surface. I found it well done and feel I understand more deeply what the characters are trying to present - a deep and undying love that is only possible through in-depth meaning.

Alice (Sophie Ward) and Martin (Nathaniel Parker) have just moved from the big city to their dream house in a quaint village. Alice finds the adjustment to village life difficult and is depressed and unsatisfied with her mama's boy husband. Things get even worse when a pushy socialite (Kerry Fox) seems to make a play for Martin, when in fact, she's attracted to someone else.

The story is a good one, but I didn't like any of the actors; they were bland and boring with the exception of Claire Bloom who injects some life into the film, playing Martin's overbearing mother. Sophie Ward's Alice is too colorless and dull to care about and she conjured up no romantic sparks. Kerry Fox overacts constantly, always making loud, pleading speeches when a whispered one would be better. I didn't like her so the story fell flat.

This BBC movie takes a good look at life in a village where everyone knows everything about everybody - not a good place to carry on a lesbian love affair. It's an acceptable but lackluster film that could have been better with a stronger cast.

(*contains spoilers*)

I have seen this film many times and find something new in it each time I watch it. This is due to deft writing ... the dialogue is far superior to most of what Hollywood puts out. I found the acting to be superb, especially that of Nathaniel Parker as Martin.

I delighted in getting a glimpse of the bucolic side of England. I was born and raised in U.S. small towns, and I found this depiction of a British small town fascinating. The film is visually quite a treat.

The story however, is sad. I find any tale of adultery to be regretful because one party is fooled and betrayed. And in this case, a family is broken up. It is a realistic film; these things happen a lot. One of the lessons conveyed is that many can get hurt from the pleasure of a few.

Sophie Ward as "Alice" is beautiful here, and it is enjoyable to see her character have so much fun with "Clodagh." But I do think that their break-up at the end is warranted. Alice is on a journey to find out who she really is.

If you are a soap opera fan, then this may fill the bill. Throw in a meddling mother-in-law, a token lesbian affair, a flirtatious but bewildered husband and a few kids, and there you have it. If you find this movie in the $1.00 bin, then it might be worth buying.

This item should have had a pornography rating. This was not the cozy English village mystery that I thought that I had purchased. This DVD is about a homosexual affair between two women, one is a married mother. I will pay more attention and do more research before I purchase any more DVDs as the back of the box did not make this clear. It went in the trash when I figured out what this was!