The Clandestine Marriage

Rating:
Summary: Love's tyranny confuses all!
Review: I loved the roles of Mr. Lovewell and Fanny. I assume having a secret marriage in a London prison was as desperate an attempt for young couples without their pesky guardians knowing about it. I loved the costume design on this film and the house was just beautiful. However, I seem to notice that on these British films, the picture is different from regular movies and they should have given the film that clear imago. The lines were hard to follow along and I sure wishthe DVD would provide english subtitles so we could follow along. But where so many men fall in love with Fanny and she's already sold, makes it harder for both the young couple. I loved Lord Ogleby's character. He's played with such innocence and brilliant light. I hate Mrs. Heidelberg! She should have been exiled from the house and she's an odious demonic evil creature herself and I dislcaim Mrs. Heidelberg as a top likeable character!

Rating:
Summary: Great fun!
Review: Nigel Hawthorne's adapation of the classic Garrick-Colman play is a delight. Wonderful ensemble acting and period flair--including beautiful shots of eighteenth-century landscape that bring Pope's poem "On the Use of Riches" to mind. And there are wonderful touches such as the turnspit dog in the kitchen juxtaposed with Mrs. Heidelberg's lapdog--there's the century summed up for you!

Rating:
Summary: Better Than It Had To Be
Review: Not bad at all - a movie starring Joan Collins always has the possibility of being a dicey affair, and she may have produced and starred in this one, but that doesn't stop it from being a charming, mannered comedy of errors. Collins has some big ol' surprises up her sleeve for us - for her first trick, she does not play Alexis Carrington, or any variation on her, in this movie. And, as if that weren't earth-shattering enough, she - I kid you not - plays a woman approximately her own age, who also looks her age. That's right, no black eyeliner and no raven tresses. It is amazing. Don't get me wrong, though - we're still dealing with Joan Collins here, so she's still pretty glam, in her own way, and certainly her character is as over-the-top as any Joan Collins character is supposed to be - but she actually acts as part of an ensemble in which she is not center stage at all times. Nigel Hawthorne, who excelled in *The Madness of King George*, capably plays her elderly brother in this English period piece of arranged marriages and un-arranged marriages. Set in a spectacular 17th century country estate, Stanway House, with all the requisite gorgeous accoutrement, the film does exceptionally well on what was obviously not an enormous budget. The costumes, hair and makeup are beautiful, and though the story gets somewhat messy in the middle of the film, the cinematography and art direction keep the eye glued to the screen. The supporting cast also serves the film well, with a variety of skilled actors who make the best out of minor roles. It is a fun movie to watch and it looks like the kind of movie that the cast and crew had a great deal of fun making. This is a valuable quality that is imparted in the finished product, and makes it easy to overlook any weaknesses.

Rating:
Summary: IF YOU LIKE JANE AUSTIN...
Review: you'll love this fun period movie!