A crooked financier brings the youth of high society London under his spell, until they all discover they're not so innocent ...
Brilliantly witty adaptation of a sophisticated, layered story. The screenplay picks out all the strengths, as the fortunes of three families intersect. Suchet gives a great performance as the ubermensch villain, backed up in every scene with a playful score and trollish food mastication.
The period detail is immaculate, but the editing captures Trollope's humour and avoids any over earnest romance. It also feels modern, just like the novel, in pointing out the theater of London finance - so much show with little substance, and a grim outcome for those who take it seriously. Yet the final montage opens up all sorts of possibilities, and gives a sense of hope.
The performances are excellent. Some complaints about the southern American accent, but it sounds good to me, and the actress nailed her opening scene with menace. Cillian Murphy does come across a bit flappy, so his immaturity as a young actor is the only real weakness.
Score and sound effects are wonderful. And the writing, direction, editing are seamless.
Overall: More than a period drama.
Brilliantly witty adaptation of a sophisticated, layered story. The screenplay picks out all the strengths, as the fortunes of three families intersect. Suchet gives a great performance as the ubermensch villain, backed up in every scene with a playful score and trollish food mastication.
The period detail is immaculate, but the editing captures Trollope's humour and avoids any over earnest romance. It also feels modern, just like the novel, in pointing out the theater of London finance - so much show with little substance, and a grim outcome for those who take it seriously. Yet the final montage opens up all sorts of possibilities, and gives a sense of hope.
The performances are excellent. Some complaints about the southern American accent, but it sounds good to me, and the actress nailed her opening scene with menace. Cillian Murphy does come across a bit flappy, so his immaturity as a young actor is the only real weakness.
Score and sound effects are wonderful. And the writing, direction, editing are seamless.
Overall: More than a period drama.