Daniel Deronda (2002)

Daniel Deronda

This is a great movie. Hugh Dancy does a great job.

I got the product a week or so after it was ordered and it's in excellent condition. July 22, 2008

Some Viewers apparently didn't get it

To judge by the majority of Amazon reviews, Daniel Deronda was seriously appreciated much more than not, which is certainly as it should be. On the ImdB, however, there are some opinions, mostly about the ultimate developments of the story, which I find disturbing. I will give nothing of the plot away, except to say that the DVD ends the way the book ends, and why is this so unacceptable?
Phil Gramm got in trouble for calling the U.S. a nation of whiners. Since I have no position to lose, political or otherwise, I am deciding not to learn from Phil's gaffe and am now giving my take, which is, actually, we are a nation of ILLITERATE whiners.

George Eliot developed her story for a reason, and I am just gullible enough to think that Eliot knew well what she was doing.

I am wondering if the people who complain about the outcome of Daniel Deronda are the same people who travel to Europe and instead of absorbing what European culture has to offer they complain about the drinks not having any ice.

A final unrelated opinion: Jodhi May (who plays Mirah) has a wonderful, understated quality in everything I've seen her in. She's an outstanding performer, and my guess is she's a quite interesting and pleasant individual in real life.

Yes, this is more a soapbox than an actual review, but since I'm the 62nd person to write I'm sure there are enough traditional reviews available here. July 21, 2008

Not worth the time it takes to get through it

Okay, I am glad that so many people enjoyed this film, but having never read the book, I had a very hard time getting through it. Let me start off by saying that I love period dramas, but this film was terrible. I didn't like ANY of the characters, and the supposed lovers of the film barely speak to each other. No one in this film is happy, and for the most part, they don't deserve to be. There is lots of whining and complaining about why life has to be so difficult and unfair, but I just want them to get over it!

There is a large part of the film devoted to discovery of true identities, but that still feels wholly unresolved by the end, because knowing who one's parents are doesn't mean they'll know who they are themselves. It doesn't change anything for the better.

Now I will say the costumes are beautiful and there are some amazing landscape shots, but I cannot under any circumstance recommend this movie to anyone. July 9, 2008

Absolutely Intoxicating

I love this movie! I think it was done very well, and Hugh Dancy is simply hot. The movie is very dense, with a lot of opportunity for critical analysis. It is not lighthearted, but still has a good ending. It is not necessarily a family movie, not because of any overtly vulgar scenes, but because the themes are more complicated and appropriate for adult audiences. It has four episodes on one disk and is not a typical 19th C. plot. Great movie! One to watch multiple times. June 15, 2008

pleasantly surprised

I just stayed up untill 03:00 am to finish the DVD and was pleasantly surprised at the open mindessness of the story obviously originating in George Eliot. It is so refreshing to see an open mind in the Victorian era! June 13, 2008

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