I have waited for SO long for Clarissa to come out on DVD region 4. I saw this production when it was first aired on TV in Australia and it still remains a favorite of mine. Samuel Richardson's hefty novel "Clarissa:The History of a Young Lady", thankfully has been updated to suit the modern audiences and the small screen. The BBC ought to be commended for tackling such a subject. And what a treat it is.
Sean Bean reeks masculine sexuality and cunningness as the devilish aristocratic libertine predator Robert Lovelace. Devious to the soul, Sean Bean's performance is excellent, as he struts his way around England in the mid 18th century. The audience witness his stratagems and manipulations in order to secure the virtuous Clarissa Harlowe. His journey from a unscrupulous rake to a man with an unhealthy obsession to a soul filled with remorse and regret, seeking redemption for the wrongs he has done to the virginal Clarissa, is well crafted.
Saskia Wickham, as Clarissa Harlowe, is outstanding. There is something about her face and expressions that shows innocence and intelligence. Clarissa's grandfather left her a large inheritance, which makes her sibling James & Arabella jealous, they manipulate the Harlowe family to imprison her and force her to marry the odious Mr Soames. Clarissa asks Lovelace for his "protection, but changes her mind. It is then that Lovelace tricks Clarissa to run away with him (watch Sean Bean's expression as Saskia unlocks the garden gate). As the story goes on, Lovelace takes her to London and secures lodgings for them; unknown to Clarissa, is a brothel.
Sean Pertwee as Jack Belford, Lovelace's friend and fellow rake, gives and outstanding performance. Here is an actor who is often overlooked and oddly cast, but not in Clarissa.
Set design and editing, faultless and the customs and wigs create the feel of Georgian times. Unlike the over powdered white faces and red lips of the prostitutes, the BBC thankfully used minimal makeup on Saskia's face keeping it natural. A huge bonus is the usage of outdoor sets and real locations.
My only criticism is that the BBC TV production is too short, and fails to deliver on how truly vile Lovelace was to Clarissa. The novel depicts Lovelace's constant pursuit of her, his nature for vengeance, his manipulation and stratagem's on the innocent lady, his plot to make her dependent on him, his determination to humiliate and ruin her, the prostitutes inciting him to act against Clarissa, Dorcus' treason and the cold hearts of the Harlowe family...not to mention, after he has the prostitutes drug her and hold her while he has his way with her, he then contrives another plot to rape her again, with her being fully conscious.
I recommend, if you can find it, the radio play 2010 "Clarissa:The History of a Young Lady", with the voices of Richard Armitage and Zoe Waites production from the BBC, which is more closer to the novel then the BBC TV production.
***SPOILER***** It is interesting to watch Lovelace, struggles against his growing obsession for Clarissa. His letters to Jack are full of lust and immorality are testimony to his fixation with 'his Clarissa'. Lovelace's attempt to subdue her to his control by humiliating her and having the whores hold her while he rapes her is a pivotal point in the story. After the event, Lovelace is forced to face his feelings for Clarissa knowing fully the implications of his actions. For Clarissa, she too is changed, although her body is bruised, her spirit is stronger, her will for independence is greater. Her "soul is above" his, she knows she is better than him. If you have read the novel, you know the rape was never about sex but power. If it was about sex, Lovelace can easily go to one of the prostitutes in the brothel or "pick" up a woman (willing or not). Unlike the book ending, Clarissa dies in a debtors jail, surrounded by her makeshift family.
Sean Bean reeks masculine sexuality and cunningness as the devilish aristocratic libertine predator Robert Lovelace. Devious to the soul, Sean Bean's performance is excellent, as he struts his way around England in the mid 18th century. The audience witness his stratagems and manipulations in order to secure the virtuous Clarissa Harlowe. His journey from a unscrupulous rake to a man with an unhealthy obsession to a soul filled with remorse and regret, seeking redemption for the wrongs he has done to the virginal Clarissa, is well crafted.
Saskia Wickham, as Clarissa Harlowe, is outstanding. There is something about her face and expressions that shows innocence and intelligence. Clarissa's grandfather left her a large inheritance, which makes her sibling James & Arabella jealous, they manipulate the Harlowe family to imprison her and force her to marry the odious Mr Soames. Clarissa asks Lovelace for his "protection, but changes her mind. It is then that Lovelace tricks Clarissa to run away with him (watch Sean Bean's expression as Saskia unlocks the garden gate). As the story goes on, Lovelace takes her to London and secures lodgings for them; unknown to Clarissa, is a brothel.
Sean Pertwee as Jack Belford, Lovelace's friend and fellow rake, gives and outstanding performance. Here is an actor who is often overlooked and oddly cast, but not in Clarissa.
Set design and editing, faultless and the customs and wigs create the feel of Georgian times. Unlike the over powdered white faces and red lips of the prostitutes, the BBC thankfully used minimal makeup on Saskia's face keeping it natural. A huge bonus is the usage of outdoor sets and real locations.
My only criticism is that the BBC TV production is too short, and fails to deliver on how truly vile Lovelace was to Clarissa. The novel depicts Lovelace's constant pursuit of her, his nature for vengeance, his manipulation and stratagem's on the innocent lady, his plot to make her dependent on him, his determination to humiliate and ruin her, the prostitutes inciting him to act against Clarissa, Dorcus' treason and the cold hearts of the Harlowe family...not to mention, after he has the prostitutes drug her and hold her while he has his way with her, he then contrives another plot to rape her again, with her being fully conscious.
I recommend, if you can find it, the radio play 2010 "Clarissa:The History of a Young Lady", with the voices of Richard Armitage and Zoe Waites production from the BBC, which is more closer to the novel then the BBC TV production.
***SPOILER***** It is interesting to watch Lovelace, struggles against his growing obsession for Clarissa. His letters to Jack are full of lust and immorality are testimony to his fixation with 'his Clarissa'. Lovelace's attempt to subdue her to his control by humiliating her and having the whores hold her while he rapes her is a pivotal point in the story. After the event, Lovelace is forced to face his feelings for Clarissa knowing fully the implications of his actions. For Clarissa, she too is changed, although her body is bruised, her spirit is stronger, her will for independence is greater. Her "soul is above" his, she knows she is better than him. If you have read the novel, you know the rape was never about sex but power. If it was about sex, Lovelace can easily go to one of the prostitutes in the brothel or "pick" up a woman (willing or not). Unlike the book ending, Clarissa dies in a debtors jail, surrounded by her makeshift family.