Movie Time

First Greenfingers, one of those cute movies that is easy to watch and easy to forget. It stars the very hunky Clive Owen who would have made a convincing Bond if he had been selected instead of Daniel Craig. Loosely based on a true story, a bunch of hardened criminals become master gardeners, coached by Helen Mirren's character. A romantic comedy for those times when you want some brain candy. Oh, and watch for the Irish Wolfhound.


I had never seen the 1980 BBC mini series version of Pride and Prejudice until last week. The script was written by Fay Weldon and was more faithful to the novel than the more recent versions. This is not to say that I preferred it, it was a bit too slow and understated. David Rintoul, who played Mr. Darcy, was much too stiff and expressionless, even for a shy and very proper Regency gentleman. Elizabeth Garvie's Eliza Bennet was much better, perhaps even preferable to Jennifer Ehle or Keira Knightly. She was young, pretty and intelligent. There was less comedy and more wit in this version.


Now I am waiting for the second disc of the 1983 BBC mini series of Mansfield Park. Fanny Price is my least favorite Austen heroine. I tend to find her timidity annoying. Fortunately, this version, while quite faithful to the book, does not focus on this aspect of her personality.


Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris, was named by J.K. Rowling after Fanny's dreadful aunt.