Jennifro

Scrumptious!

I've been missing for a week and for a very indulgent reason.  We rented this BBC mini-series, based on John Galsworthy's novel, and couldn't stop until it was over.  What is it with the English?  I rarely see any BBC production that I don't love and this was no exception.  Nick and I both were smitten from the start.  It was English scandal and intrigue at it's best--from the production design to the costuming to the acting. The story--one of wealth, love, betrayal, and passionless marriages--follows the fortunes of the Forsyte family in late Victorian England, specifically, the failed marriage between wealthy Soames Forsyte and his beautiful, distant wife, Irine, who married out of need, not love. This is the core story, all else radiates from it. 

It might be tempting to call the Forsyte Saga a soap opera, but it is much more. All the elements of drama are elevated. Characters are more finely drawn, the dialogue is unsurpassed, and how the family members relate to one another and the times in which they live are the gist of the story. Soames is superbly portrayed by Damien Lewis who is relentless and frustrated in his obsession with Irine, played by Gina McKee. He is blinded by his own faults and unwilling to bend or soften in his domination of Irine.  The tension between these two is more than palpable as they pit themeselves against each other and the societal restraints of their era. The one flaw (we thought) in the series is the character of Irine. Three members of the Forsyte family are attracted to her but she lacks the spark that would warrant such an attraction. She is a bit too cold and emotionless, and honestly, a bit irritating to watch--although she did grow on us by the end.  The acting is great though, and we felt torn between empathy and antipathy for both characters.  The final scene, however, left us saying, "WHAT? that's it!!?"  then Nick brilliantly realized....wait...there's more!
 

The next generation!  It picks up about 18 years later when Fleur, daughter of Soames and his second wife, and Jon, son of Irine and Soames' cousin Jolyan, are just entering adulthood. Jon and Fleur fall in love, of course, much to their parents' horror. England is Edwardian now, but the only thing more scandalous than Irine and Soames' failed marriage is the prospect of telling their children the truth. We were just as enthralled with the second series--think Romeo and Juliet meet the Great Gatsby.  We were just sick for the lovelorn little pair and found ourselves rooting for them from the start.  The costumes and setting alone, were enough to make me miserable.  I'd give up my Seven jeans any day to dress like them...absolutely EXQUISITE! Anyhoo, a very longwinded explanation of where I've been and a very delicious escape I must admit....

Do you have any BBC favs?