Impressions of Cider with Rosie, Firelight and David Copperfield (2000)

[birdienl]

 

Cider with Rosie 1998

Adapted from: the memoirs of Laurie Lee
Length: 100 min

Summary: A coming-of-age tale of young Laurie Lee, who grows up in the Edwardian countryside with his mother, left by her husband, and his brothers and stepsisters. Laurie records the smaller and larger happenings in the town where he grows up.

Familiar faces: Juliet Stevenson (Emma 1996), David Troughton (Casualty 1900's), Emily Mortimer (The Glass Virgin)

Watch this if:
- If you like quirky movies with surprising twists

Don't watch this if:
- You like Lark Rise to Candleford just the way it is and don't think it needs to be edgier or more realistic
- If you like 'idealistic' childhood tales such as Little Women and Anne of Green Gables, Cider with Rosie is NOT one of these!

Best part: When one of Laurie's stepsisters arrives home with a boyfriend, his mother first gives him a beating with a frying pan and afterwards asks him to have breakfast with the family, as if nothing happened!





Firelight 1997


Adapted from: no adaptation
Length: 103 min

Summary: In 1838, lovely governess Elisabeth agrees to bear a child of anonymous English landowner, and he will in return pay her father's debt. At birth she, as agreed, gives up the child. Seven years later she is hired as governess to a girl on a remote Sussex estate. The father of the girl, Charles Godwin, turns out to be that anonymous landowner. So Elisabeth has to be her own daughter's governess, and she can't reveal the secret of her tie with little Louisa.

Familiar faces: not really

Watch this if:
- You like stories about forbidden relationships

Don't watch this if:
- You're not in the mood for a  movie with a lot of controversial subjects and don't need to be reminded of what some women in the 19th century had to do to survive

Best part: When the little girl, Louisa, discovers she can read without accompanying pictures.



 

David Copperfield 2000

Adapted from: the novel by Charles Dickens (duh...)
Length: 180 min

Summary: Young David Copperfield leads a pleasant life with his loving mother. But everything changes when she remarries the cruel Mr. Murdstone. He sends David to a horrible boardingschool and later makes him work in a factory. But even here friendly faces can be found.

Familiar faces: Hugh Dancy (Daniel Deronda), Eileen Atkins (Cranford), Sarah Smart (Casualty 1900s)

Watch this if:
- You like Dickens's stories in general: lots of memorable characters, interesting views of Victorian society and a great story which ends happily for all the good characters, while the villains get what they deserve!

Don't watch this if:
- You like your period dramas to be clean, shiny and happy from beginning to end

Best part: many, but among others when aunt Betsey Trotwood chases passing donkeys (with riders!) from her lawn with a broom!