Masterpiece Theatre: My Family and Other Animals (2005)

Pretty, and

...the characters look like I had pictured them in my mind, BUT, this movie sure does not do justice to the book!

Please, if you haven't already done so, go out and read it for yourself. This movie is a poor, weak copy of an absolutely smashingly wonderful hilarious book! August 12, 2008

Delightful Eccentricities

In the late 1930s life for the Durrell family in England has just about become unbearable. At the behest of the oldest son Lawrence, a budding novelist whose writing ability is only exceeded by his arrogance and his charm, the family moves to the island of Corfu. There Lawrence gets down to writing, while younger brother Leslie fires off guns at odd moments, sister Margo attracts numerous male admirers, and Mrs. Durrell vaguely and haphazardly tries to maintain some sense of law and order. The youngest brother, Gerald, is the star of the show. He is fascinated by animals, birds, and insects, and fills the Durrell home up with pets and carcasses in various states of decomposition and disrepair while he learns to be a writer himself. Along the way the Durrells meet numerous Greeks and Turks and have various odd guests, chiefly imported by Lawrence. The whole film is one escapade and bizarre moment after another right down to the very end, helped along by a magnificent cast led by Imelda Staunton and Matthew Goode and by the beautiful island of Corfu itself. A great way to spend 90 minutes. June 6, 2008

Masterpiece Theatre Stories

I've always found the Masterpiece Theatre presentations to be outstanding.
"My Family and Other Animals" is typical of the above average acting and above average production of most of the other stories in this series (usually found on PBS broadcasts). The material is presented in an intelligent manner that does not "talk down to" the viewer. Even when the story-line is light-hearted and humuorous, it maintains integrity of story-telling that does not insult. The story line does not move quickly (as in the 1 or 2 second bites of a typical Hollywood movie)so be prepared to give attention as the story un-folds. May 22, 2008

Just about ok

I am afraid I cannot recommend this adaptation. The crucial difficulty is a lack of appreciation of the characters in the three books Gerald Durrell wrote about his family. Instead the family and those around it emerge as caricatures at most, with sketchy reminders to those of us who grew up on these marvellous books. Especially disappointing is the lack of character development of Theo and Gerry. Especially unforgivable is the musical score which is obtrusive and mostly annoying-- at times it actually gets in the way of appreciating the dialog and acting. Watch this from a library, it is not worth owning. March 29, 2008

Delightful and Fun

I have not read the book but will be remedying that as soon as I can make it to the library. So, as I write this I have no idea how faithful this movie adaptation is. But,... the movie was an absolute delight. Witty, sophisticated without being snobbish, intelligent, and entertaining. Understated British humor at its best. This was a fun movie to watch.

Casting was well done, the acting was skillful, and even the supporting cast was incredibly strong. I am hard pressed to find a flaw in this delightful movie. December 2, 2007

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