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thomas hardy novels I've never read a Thomas Hardy novel, but I seem to be drawn to film adaptations of them. For example, I have an ongoing love hate relationship with the film Jude featuring Christopher Eccleston and Kate Winslet in the leading roles. My complaint isn't with the acting. Both of them did excellent jobs with their roles. What bothers me is the story itself. In a word, I would call it depressing. The two of them are cousins of some sort and against societal norms they decide to get married. Their union causes more grief for them than I could ever have imagined. Another film based on a Hardy novel that I have seen would be The Claim directed by Michael Winterbottom. Unlike Jude this one did not appeal to me at all. From what I understand the movie is a retooling of the Hardy classic The Mayor of Casterbridge, where the central character sells his wife and child to a stranger. Then later in life when he has become a respected citizen this sad act from his past comes back to haunt him. These elements of the story still exist in the film, but the setting and time have been transplanted to the American West during the Gold Rush. Many reviews that I have read say that this improves the novel, but for me I kept wondering how strange the town seemed to me. It felt more allegorical than real. Now I am watching an adaptation of Tess of the d'Urbervilles with the lovely Justine Waddell in the title role. I first became aware of her in a television production of Dickens Great Expectations where she was Estella. So far I am very impressed by what I have seen and hope that I will not be disappointed by the ending. |