Review of Dombey & Son

Just finished watching this excellent BBC TV version for the first time. I'd heard of "Dombey & Son" but knew nothing of the story prior to watching. It was a title I usually forgot all about as being in Dickens' opus. I recently read that "Dombey" is the author's least known work, except, perhaps, for his last, the unfinished "Mystery of Edwin Drood". I only have familiarity with the latter due to a 2-part radio production on the American channel Radio Classics, a series from decades ago called either Suspense or something else, I now forget. The radio version formulated its own ending based on clues that Dickens hinted at in his notes. I was intrigued and thoroughly enjoyed. It may be heard on internet via You Tube. Getting back to "Dombey". I was totally absorbed with it, finding it extremely compelling. The fact that it was totally fresh to me may've helped, plus the fact that, now that I'm retired, I've rediscovered great authors and classic literature that I never had time for before. Dickens has re-captivated and re-energized me for marvelous stories and characters. Of course, I've long been partial to period pieces, the 19th- century of Dickens' world being of particular fascination for me. I haven't read the vast majority of his novels, only TV and movie versions(and radio) over the years, but only a small sampling of his output, the most famous titles, such as "Oliver Twist", "Great Expectations", "David Copperfield", etc., and, of course, "A Christmas Carol". In fact, just recently watched the BBC TV versions of "Twist" and "The Pickwick Papers" from the early 80's. Over the last couple of years, I've watched dvds of other titles unfamiliar to me, i.e.,"Hard Times" and "Nicholas Nickelby", both of which were enthralling. In my recent readings about Dickens(with whom I'm currently fascinated and obsessed--where did the stories come from?), "Dombey" was a title occasionally referred to, stimulating my interest in checking it out. I wasn't disappointed. The only downside was the usual difficulty in understanding some of the British accents. This was far from fatal, though, and basically affected nothing. As mentioned, very compelling plot, intriguing characters, high-quality production. Dombey himself, though quite fascinating, was slightly tedious in terms of his cold, austere, mostly silent depiction, though he was never truly unlikeable. Again, he was fascinating. Carker I found unlikeable, as he's meant to be, but I found the actor playing him, though good in the role, somewhat over-mannered in his sliminess, something of a caricature, I guess, but not to the point of cartoonishness. He was much closer to realism than that, conveying insincerity and dishonesty pretty well. I never fully understood what he was up to, which didn't seem to be revealed until the final episode, only casually and briefly in passing. As a viewer, Carker's ultimate fate was totally satisfying. Overall, cast superb--Miss Tocks of particular note, then Mr. Bankstock, Saul Gillis, and especially Captain Cuttle. The young Paul Dombey, Jr. tragically affecting, too. The actress portraying his caring younger sister Florence was fabulous. I found Mr. Toots a rather extraneous, though clumsily likeable, character, of not much, if any, significance to the story. I thought something more was going to come of his infatuation with Dombey's angelic daughter Florence. Ah, Florence, now, there's an actress seemingly born to play the role! Unfortunately, I don't recall the real names of the cast, and am not rechecking. But Florence, long-suffering Florence, was excellent. I believe this actress played a similar role in the BBC TV version of "Oliver Twist", that I recently viewed. I always look forward to every scene in which she appears. She's totally natural and convincing as Florence, just as she was in "Twist"(was her name Ruth in that?). Excellent at conveying various emotions, sometimes more than one at the same time. Edith, her stepmother, good in the role, was an emotionless cipher. Her background relationship with her mother explained this, but it was very difficult if not impossible to have any real sympathy for her, as it no doubt was written. Her double-dealing with Carker, though, was quite plot-effective. Finally, I thought there was a very poignant ending, typically Dickensian, I believe. Yes, it was slightly rushed, I thought, but not seriously so. In some ways, by this point in a story, when the finale appears to be imminent, there's no real need to delve into every nuance of detail and character-motivation. Fate comes to a resolution, whether happy for all or not, on its own schedule. When the end has come, it's come, time to call it a day, all loose ends ready to be tied up. The final rapprochement between Dombey and Florence was beautifully and movingly portrayed, in my opinion. This was a great series, fully illustrating the staggering genius and imagination of Mr. Dickens, for whom I'm still exploring and reading much. Next up for me: the BBC TV version of "Bleak House"! (again, about which I know nothing, the way I prefer it to be for, as with "Dombey", a first-time exposure!)