What are hat dramas? That is what my husband calls the historical costume dramas I rarely fail to go see.
I'm a sucker for period movies, especially the regency Austen type. I tend to prefer a happy ending so Jane Austen's work
suits me better than, say, Thomas Hardy. Whenever a new one is advertised, Richard turns
and says "we're going to see that one, aren't we?"
...and he'll be right.
My obsession with period pieces started back in the 10th grade when I went to see "A Room With a View". It reached its
fever pitch in the 90s with the A&E version of "Pride and Prejudice", and has mellowed to a merely
enjoyable diversion. So which hat dramas are my favorites?
- A Room With a View
- Room With a View is based on an E. M. Forster's book and it is a very faithful adaptation. It is charming and filled with beautiful
scenery as well as light social commentary. Who knew someone called George could be a romantic hero?
- Pride and Prejudice,
A&E version
- The ultimate version of Pride and Prejudice. It is longer than a feature film so it includes more
of the detail from the book that shorter versions simply can't do justice to. The costumes, music and
locations are beautiful and Colin Firth was born to play the brooding Mr. Darcy.
- North and South
- This is not, as you might suspect, about the US Civil War. It is about a
young woman from the south of England who moves to the industrial north. A nice
romance featuring a brooding leading man with a bit of class struggle mixed
in... The music is a bit insufferable after a while but the story is good.
- Persuasion
- The production quality on this film is sub par, but the acting and story is so charming you can overlook it. In fact,
the unpolished feel throughout works with the melancholy mood of the movie. It is unusual to see actors who look like real people.
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www.sensibility.com |
Sense and Sensibility
- Despite the fact that Emma Thompson is a bit old for the part of Elinor, but plays it with such heart you
forget about it. This is a lovely, romantic film. Ang Lee was the director so it is also gorgeous!
- Emma
- Most of the time I prefer the BBC (A&E) versions of Austen books to the feature film, but in this case I make an exception.
Kate Beckinsale is a most obnoxious Emma--watching her is like chewing tinfoil. Less dramatic, with more the feeling of a fable,
this is a good movie for a Sunday afternoon.
- Wives and Daughters
- Wives and Daughters is a costume drama based on an unfinished book. Andrew Davies (celebrated hat drama screenwriter)
developed an ending for the book in this adaptation.
- The Governess
- The story of a Jewess posing as a gentile who becomes a governess to an obnoxious child in the Victorian era.
There is an interesting plot around science and photography. This film is an unusual period
piece in that it actually depicts blatant sexuality, including full frontal male nudity.
- Firelight
- This story also takes place in Victorian England and is about a governess to an obnoxious child in the Victorian era.
It also has more explicit sexuality as a main component of the story. Firelight is very quiet and
atmospheric.
- The Princess Bride
- It is more comedy than drama, but who can resist this movie? Not me.
- Sarah Plain and Tall
- I love Christopher Walken and westerns so this is a terrific movie for me.
Is it sentimental and predictable? Yes, but in a good way.
- The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
- A widow forms a romantic attachment to a ghost, the charming Captain Gregg.
Rex Harrison is excellent as the captain.
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