Review of Clarissa

I watched the entire series in one sitting and loved it so much that I plan on reading the novel. This was an excellent period drama with all the trimmings, an unforgettable story about the conflict between a virtuous young woman trying to avoid being forced into an awful marriage and the libertine who becomes unhealthily obsessed with her and the idea of testing her purity.

When reading a summary of the story, very little seems to happen, but the characters are so fascinating and their psychology so complex that one becomes engrossed. The heroine, whom many have criticized as being an annoying goody two-shoes, is made relate-able through the three-dimensional performance of Saskia Wickham. She's an amazing character, more than the simpering ingenue people make her out to be. Though she is pious and naive, she's also a woman who refuses to be put under anyone's control, not her family's and not Lovelace's. Lovelace is brought alive by Sean Bean, who was made for the part, channeling the character's charisma and cruelty. He totally sells the character's twisted affection/obsession for Clarissa.

The entire production is well acted, scored, and directed. An ideal period piece, highly recommended. I would definitely see it again.