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! :)

A Visit to 221b Baker Street

                                         
"My dear Watson, let me explain," lately, I have been spending a considerable amount of time in the company of the ingenious Sherlock Holmes and his trusted confidante and sidekick, the dear Dr. Watson. I first stumbled upon the book, "Sherlock Holmes The Complete Novels ad Stories Volume I" while searching for some Agatha Christie novels at my local bookstore. I knew Sherlock was rumored to be one of the most famous of detectives as far as mysteries go. (And beyond, really. I believe it is safe to say he is one of the most famous fictional characters in the civilized world, if you don't mind my assumption!) And for good reason too! I was entranced from the start of "A Study in Scarlet" to the locked-room mystery of "The Sign of the Four."

I was amazed at the cold, logical, and calculating mind of Mr. Sherlock Holmes. As Watson once so accurately said, it is a good thing he is on the side of the law instead of against it, for he would never be caught. (that last part was my belief) He really is almost robot-like. Soon after he explains his observations, you find yourself thinking "of course! Why didn't I see that?" along with Watson, but the fact is you didn't and Sherlock did and that's a fact. That's whats so extraordinary. I only have a few bones to pick with Mr Holmes. He seems not to appreciate dear Watson enough in his egocentric world. (for even though I think him the greatest, he is egocentric.) I know he does in his own strange way, but not consciously, and every once in a while I'd like to see that music loving, soul searching- side to his character come out toward Watson. But, really, I shouldn't complain. Watson doesn't. He is, indeed, Sherlock's biggest fan. Their friendship is simply great.

I was very surprised at Watson's character. Going into the books, I had the impression that Watson was a goofy sidekick, always putting his foot in it and just generally being a clod-hopper. I apologize profusely Dr. Watson! I was, very happily, wrong. I can only justify that opinion because of some versions of Sherlock Holmes. But, in reality, Dr. John Watson is the perfect accomplice for Holmes. He is clever, indeed, but compared to Holmes' shining intellect, he seems dull at some points. BUT that is just to show how clever Holmes is. It doesn't seem very extraordinary to be more clever than a clod-hopper, but to be more clever than a successful doctor and true gentleman is rather special. You see what I mean?

It is interesting to note though, that Holmes lacks some common sense and social graces. Please don't argue just yet ;) In "A Study in Scarlet," Watson is surprised to find that Sherlock does not know that the solar system is geocentric instead of heliocentric! As Watson said, "his ignorance was as remarkable as his knowledge." Sherlock then astounds us more by saying that he will try his best to forget this bit of information. When asked to explain, he goes on to say that he believes the mind can only hold so much, so he must only keep such information as is important to him and his line of studies. While seemingly rather unusual, there may be some sense in that fact... Very surprising, nonetheless.

                             
After becoming interested in the occupants on 221b Baker Street, the next logical step, to my mind, was to search for more about them. Luckily, my piano teacher had the perfect recommendation: a television series starring Jeremy Brett as the famous Sherlock Holmes. She assured me it was quite like the books, sometimes word for word; and I was not disappointed. He was fabulous, Watson was as I imagined, and the story has a good flow, while being very true to the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I have only watched the first three episodes so far, but I am hooked! I cannot wait to see some more! And, of course, read more.

Have any of you all read and/ or watched Mr. Sherlock Holmes and his trusty friend Dr. Watson? What do you think of them? I'll be interested to see if anyone has any opinions. :)