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Daniel Deronda

Daniel Deronda

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A beautifulll piece of cinema in every aspect.
Review: "Daniel Deronda" is an exceptional piece of cinema. I first saw it on PBS recently, and was captivated right away, even though I didn't see it from the beginning. It's one of those stories that may not sound to interesting to hear in the beginning, but once it grasps you, it won't let go. I loved the fact that there was no 'bathroom break' scene in the movie. I was glued to my bed, and just couldn't leave the room.

I hve to say kudos to the director and the actors. They did a brilliant job in making the movie. You can sense the tensions in the scenes that occur b/t Daniel and Gewendolen after she is married. I especially thought the scene of Daniel on the beach looking at the ocean when he came to meet his mother was beautifully portrayed. You could see the confusion and disbelief that he was within him.

I recomend this movie to anyone who wants to see an exceptionl movie during the Victorian era. Not only will you get great visuals, but you'll also get a histroy lesson on the treatment of Jews during the era.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: REMEMBER "HUGH DANCY" YOU WILL NOT FORGET THIS UK ACTOR!
Review: AS USUAL YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH X/M MASTERPIECE THEATRE. ONCE I LEARNED OF HUGH DANCY, I WAS IMMEDIATELY CAPTIVATED BY HIS MAGNETIC PRESENCE!

HUGH REMINDED ME OF A YOUNG PETER O'TOOLE--- AND HE IS ALSO IN "THE SLEEPING DICTIONARY", "TEMPO", TNT/HALLMARK'S "DAVID COPPERFIELD" AND "MADAME BOVARY"

DANCY WILL SOON BE ONE OF THE UK'S MOST DESIRED ACTORS FOR FINE AND QUALITY PIECES. HE ALSO EXPANDED INTO OTHER ROLES IN "BLACK HAWK DOWN" AND I HOPE DANCY REACHES OR EXCEEDS THE POPULARITY OF IOAN GRUFFUUD.

THE STORY IS A GOOD ONE, BUT DANCY *MAKES THE MOVIE* WITH HIS GENTEEL UPBRINGING, STYLE AND CLASS.
I WAS SO IMPRESSED I BOUGHT ALL THE DANCY DVDS I COULD FIND! ""HUGH DANCY"" ON YOUR MARQUEE LIST OF MUST HAVE DVD'S:)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Stirring, Addictive, yet Resonant Masterpiece Theater
Review: Based on George Eliot's novel of the same name, this masterpiece theater miniseries, in a long list of excellent ones by PBS and the BBC, is viscerally entertaining, yet also incredibly moving and resonant all the same. Daniel Deronda thrives on a strong script, subtle effective directing, and an extremely charming and talented cast. Hugh Darcy couldn't be a more ideal choice to play Daniel Deronda. He beautifully juxtaposes inner strength with sensitivity and compassion, and is instantly likable, absolutely necessary to such a main-character driven story. A shout out to Jodhi May who is absolutely fetching and wonderful as Mirah Lapodoth the "Jewess" and Deronda's love interest. She played the younger sister in Last of the Mohicans. And she continues to act convincingly and be a compelling presence onscreen. The chemistry between her and Darcy is electrifying. Kudos to the two young British actors that make this PBS special truly wonderful.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Great movie with a ridiculous ending
Review: beautifully done film but ended with a ridiculous twist. there is also a very strong homosexual complex portrayed so subtlely in this movie just like the novel that george eliot wrote. i do consider george eliot a homosexual as he got a lifelong partnership and friendship with henry george lewes. they travel together and almost lived together until the latter died. that's why he put that kinda experiences into his novel and let lewes read publicly of this novel. the writer was strongly influenced by hebrew culture and his jewish study. without knowing his background you might believe this novel was written
by a jew. the ending was totally ruined the whole story and spoiled the endevour. finding out his jewish background could suddenly change of his heart is indeed a jewish overcome. all the great characters in this movie and novel, either married to a jew or married a jew, men and women. daniel's mother would have chosen a jew instead of an english gentleman was but a re-run of his final realization and choice, leaving gwendolen in the cold. this unbecoming ending messed up the whole viewing experience of my wife's and mine. if the timing is right, george eliot should have been chosen by israel and sent to america to lobby the bush administration. that's why this year's best actor oscar would have dropped onto the lap of a so-so actor who played a polish jewish pianist instead of won by either jack nicholson or other better performers. jewish influence is everywhere not just romance, no matter what. sigh........

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Top notch BBC drama. Highly recommended!
Review: Daniel Deronda is a story of 2 heroes. Or rather, of one hero and one heroine. Our hero is Daniel Deronda (Hugh Dancy): a handsome, generous, idealistic young man and son of Sir Hugo Mallinger (Edward Fox). Our heroine is Gwendolen Harleth (Romola Garai): beautiful, spirited, selfish and spoiled. When the two meet at a German casino, sparks fly. Daniel is enchanted by the beautiful Gwendolen and she is likewise intrigued by the handsome, mysterious young man.

The story unfolds as Daniel meets a young Jewish woman, Mirah Lapidoth (Jodhi May), whom he saves from drowning. As he learns more about Mirah and her past, secrets unfold from his own past which lead to a search for his long lost mother.

Meanwhile, Gwendolen is courted by a bevy of admirers and is pursued by the rich, haughty and cruel Henleigh Grandcourt (Hugh Bonneville), the nephew of Sir Hugo. When her family's business fails and she is faced with the possibility of becoming a governess, Gwendolen makes a desperate choice and realizes that wealth and status do not always result in happiness. Daniel and Gwendolen's lives are weaved together as each one embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

DANIEL DERONDA has all the high production values that one would expect from the BBC and acclaimed British screenwriter Andrew Davies (both of whom gave us MIDDLEMARCH, WIVES AND DAUGHTERS and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Up-and-coming young stars Hugh Dancy (Black Hawk Down, Ella Enchanted and David Copperfield) and Romola Garai (Nicholas Nickleby) are supported by drama favorites Edward Fox, Hugh Bonneville, Greta Scacchi, Amanda Root, Barbara Hershey and Jodhi May. The locales take place in the splendid country houses of England, gritty London and romantic Genoa, Italy. And the compelling story, of course, is based on the Victorian novel by George Eliot (her last novel), who also gave us Middlemarch (also an excellent BBC adaptation), Silas Marner and The Mill On The Floss.

I highly recommend this DVD to everyone who enjoys British drama, period films or are fans of Ms. Eliot's great work. A gem!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Another wonderful offering from Masterpiece Theatre
Review: Daniel Deronda is a tightly and lovingly told story (with only a few gaps which left me slightly confused) about a young man in search of his past and the two women he helps along the way. Miniseries have the luxury of getting to tell the story in any longwinded way they like, letting you get attached to the characters, and Daniel Deronda and his co-characters are certainly an endearing bunch (with the exception of a few quite wicked or shady people) and the story definitely very well told.

"Deronda" takes it's time telling the story, and good for us. The story is enveloped in mystery, heartbreak, treacherous perverse characters, the trials and tribulations of the upper class, but most interestingly and captivatingly, the plight of the 19th century European Jew and Daniel's search for his ancestry, family, his heritage, and ultimately, his destiny. It's a beautiful and powerful message. The acting is top notch, with Hugh Dancy in an Emmy worthy understated performance. Daniel is a good fellow, but he's not "too good to be true", he's diginified and is a genuinely kind human being, but is at the same time sad and discontented with his life, and yet a warmth comes through the screen, making Dancy's Deronda one of the better characters ever portrayed on Masterpiece Theatre.

Another great quality of this series is how interesting, in a historical sense, it is. Many series and films try to stuff themselves with melodrama and action, etc, to seem interesting. "Deronda" contents itself with the characters and their relation to the setting of 1870s England and Europe. Culture, prejudice, art, history, customs, all come through and are a very central character to what occurs to the various characters.

Kudos go to the incredible acting from a passel of well known British character and stage actors, cinematography, costumes, and the haunting score. This isn't the most perfect offering that Masterpiece Theatre has given us, it suffers from a few flaws, but it is certainly one of the most endearing and powerful, and is, dare I say, very entertaining.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Stunning!
Review: Daniel Deronda is a visual masterpiece. Based on the novel by British author, George Eliot. It tells the story of a young man searching for his true birth lineage and a young woman searching for a way out of poverty. It is a very poignant adaptation of the book. I would highly recommend watching the movie.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Stunning!
Review: Daniel Deronda is a visual masterpiece. Based on the novel by British author, George Eliot. It tells the story of a young man searching for his true birth lineage and a young woman searching for a way out of poverty. It is a very poignant adaptation of the book. I would highly recommend watching the movie.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Don't Miss Daniel Deronda
Review: Daniel Deronda was the second special that I have seen featuring the immensely talented Hugh Dancy. Daniel Deronda gives us a passionate peek into the life and times of a young Jewish man who was adopted in Victorian-era London. Jodhi May and Romola Garai also giving stunning and emotionally moving performances as the competing romantic leads. I cannot fathom why some would say the cast is questionable.

The whole movie was a heart-wrenching ride with some unexpected turns and well-directed vignettes. Most scenes were believable for the period and the costuming was divine. I admit that I had not read Elliot's book before seeing this movie, however I can say due to that fact, that this movie stands well on it's own merits and is a delightful addition to anyone enjoying period-set Victorian movies.

Oh and Hollywood, why are you waiting? Hugh Dancy is your next heart-throb.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Absolutely beautiful film
Review: Extraordinary acting and captivating story! The character Daniel Deronda possesses that blend of sensitivity and ability to see right into others' souls that is so rare. Hopefully I'm not stepping over the boundary in saying that every girl dreams of a DD coming into her life. I know I do!


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