Talented high-powered actors, plus high production values, minus
a dreadful slow-moving story, equals a major waste of time and
money. Hard to see how this project ever got made, especially
with these actors. Has the feel of a "Masterpiece Theater" version
of trashy old TV mini-series like "Lace" and "The Other Side of
Midnight", with a large dash of vow-breaking priest from "The
Thorn Birds". Aspires to tragic 19th century English novels,
however this tale of sex, murder, and family secrets among the
rich and powerful is not quite Thomas Hardy material. On a minor
note, I found Branagh's immaculately coiffed hair and trimmed and
colored beard distracting and annoying after awhile; he's like a
priest with a full-time stylist.
a dreadful slow-moving story, equals a major waste of time and
money. Hard to see how this project ever got made, especially
with these actors. Has the feel of a "Masterpiece Theater" version
of trashy old TV mini-series like "Lace" and "The Other Side of
Midnight", with a large dash of vow-breaking priest from "The
Thorn Birds". Aspires to tragic 19th century English novels,
however this tale of sex, murder, and family secrets among the
rich and powerful is not quite Thomas Hardy material. On a minor
note, I found Branagh's immaculately coiffed hair and trimmed and
colored beard distracting and annoying after awhile; he's like a
priest with a full-time stylist.