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'Watered' Down
Review date: 2008-10-30 Rating: 6 out of 10
Having waited and waited for this DVD be be released on Region 2, I opted to purchase the Region 1 version (just noticed the release for Region 2 has gone back yet again possibly due to ITV wanting to televise before the DVD comes out??). I am questioning whether the Region 1 version has been edited due to some of the content - the scene in the cell between Selina and Margaret when Selina is changing into her nightwear is a bit strange as the dialogue that comes out of Margarets mouth doesn't go with what you are seeing, guess I will watch the ITV version when it is shown to check this.
Having read all of Sarah Waters' novels to date, I find Affinity to be the most unexciting - therefore this adaptation was the same for me. I think Tipping the Velvet is the best book/adaptation, Fingersmith the second best and this is last, at present (I have heard that they are adapting Night Watch - which bookwise, for me, is a close second to Tipping.
Having said all of the above the sets and the costumes are excellent and create a great atmosphere. However, the very dodgey, hand held, camera work in the 'cell' scenes are really distracting and take away from the pace and growth of the relationship between the two women. I also prefer to see all of the person - not just their face with the top of their heads chopped off! Maybe 'hand helds' were used due to the confining space in the cell? If not - bad idea!!!
The casting was OK but I found neither Margaret or Selina as endearing or interesting as either two sets of women in Tipping or Fingersmith. Selina was especially 'wishy, washy'.
Roll on the adaptation of Night Watch - please no hand held cameras!!!!