Cranford Movie Review

I watched Cranford for the second time late June. I took notes and told myself I would do a review on my blog ASAP.... well, obviously that didn't happen. But I love Cranford and its inhabitants to itty bitty bits, so I must review it! :) ("'Why are you putting cologne on a handkerchief?' 'She seemed in such distress. She wrote in exclamation points!") Pardon me for the parentheses, I couldn't help myself. Although I am not in distress ;) 

Now, on to the review! For those of you who haven't seen or read Cranford, here is a brief description from the wonderful IMDb: "In the 1840s, Cranford is ruled by the ladies. They adore good gossip; and romance and change is in the air, as the unwelcome grasp of the Industrial Revolution rapidly approaches their beloved rural market-town."  While this description is good, it misses out on the feel and old fashioned loveliness of it all. (which is hard to do in one paragraph, I confess.) 

                       

First of all, the acting is fabulous. Wonderful Dame Judi Dench plays Miss Mattie, who is sweetness personified. The other wonderful and fantastically quirky and lovable characters are Mrs. Forrester, Miss Pole (her faces are priceless!), Miss Tomkinson, and Miss Jamieson. Miss Deborah was almost like Marilla Cuthbert, a bit prickly, but under it all is a good heart. 

                               
It is an account of all the comings-and-goings in a "typical" English village in the 1800s. Starting with the coming of Mary Smith-who comes to Cranford to get away from her new stepmother and her attempts to marry her off- to the new young doctor (who to my surprise was Mr. Bingley from P&P '05.) who had the audacity to wear a red coat. He was quickly corrected by the senior doctor and told to get a black coat. (In point of fact, I liked the red one better.) Then comes the blow of the news of the railroad coming to Cranford. Needless to say, it did not meet with the ladies approval. 

It would take me forever to chronicle all the sad and amusing moments of Cranford, so I suggest you watch it yourself and enjoy, as I did. I would like to warn you about a couple deaths (although it seems like everyone). I will not mention who, as that would spoil it for you, but I thought you ought to be semi-prepared. 

I feel I cannot do justice to the mini-series in one cohesive post, so I will just put down my jots and scribbles in a non-cohesive post and hope I catch some of its charm.

-Miss Deborah's face when Mary says she came by the railway is priceless!

- Miss Mattie's gossip when Mary first arrives is so amusing! Especially when she was talking of a pick cart that got wedged and tipped, and Mary asks if anyone was hurt, to which she replies "Oh no; BUT there was talk of calling the constable!" (astonishing, don't you agree?)

-I simply loved Miss Deborah and her gentle reproof of Martha, the maid. "Whatever-Martha-has-said- MADAM." haha

                       

-The orange scene is EPIC. "We shall consume our fruit in solitude."

-I was so proud of Dr. Harrison (Bingley) and his unheard of operation. Thank goodness it went well! And the dear ladies of Cranford offering up their candles for it was heartwarming.

-"No women is the equal of a man. She is superior in every place." -Miss Deborah :D

- Not only was Mr. Bingley in Cranford, but Willoughby from S&S '95 and Carson from Downton Abbey made appearances as well.

-I must mention the scene where the poor cat ate the lace stitched by hand by nuns in the 1400s!

- And I admit, I totally shipped Miss Galindo and Mr. Carter. It ought to have happend, Miss Gaskell!

-I wish Miss Mattie had gotten the turban she had wanted

                         

-Harry and Mr. Carter's relationship... leaves me speechless.

-I think my readers may find this quote of Miss Pole's to be amusing, I know I did! "My father was a man; I think I understand the sex." :) dear Miss Pole

-oh, Miss Mattie and her fear of a man being under the bed. The ball was a good idea. "Very well, there is no man concealed there." 

-I kind of also shipped Jack Marshland and Mary... did anyone else?

- Miss Pole bringing Thomas Holbrook's silhouette to Miss Mattie restored my faith in humanity

-Miss Mattie and her "dream baby" left me nonplussed... I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

       

- Sometimes I can't stand Lady Ludlow, and other times, I feel I can understand her perfectly. She and Aunt Hetty from Road to Avonlea do that to me.

-I was so pleased at Miss Jesse's happy ending. :D

-Peter! Oh, PETER PETER PETER! *ahem* Sorry, I had to get that off my chest.

-So, I was rather proud of myself this time- the little tears didn't appear until the end.

So, I hope you at least got the gist of what I am trying to say- if not.... well just go and watch it yourself and then you will understand. :)

Oh, I don't think I have mentioned before, but I have a sister. The reason I saw fit to mention her now is because she actually watched Cranford with me! She usually doesn't "do" period dramas. She even left a footnote at the bottom of my notes which reads as follows:

"Hi sissy :) You took wonderful notes :) Everyone thought that doctor dude was in love with them...like, I wouldn't be surprised if even the men thought the doc had a thing for them! Plus, so many people died!!! What a movie!"

My sister has a liking for emoticons... but I think she liked it. She won't admit it but... maybe she'll watch more! 

So, in the words of my sister, what a movie!

Here they all are, waving goodbye

P.S. I wonder if anyone knows how to make a blog button? I'd like to make one, but I do not know how... comment below if you know! :)