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Post by beckettologist on Jun 26, 2009 0:05:41 GMT -5
I thought I would start this here since it is coming up in a couple of weeks. Desperate Romantics: Series 1 - Episode guideRebellious, talented and charismatic, three young men - The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood - are on a mission to change the world of art, in BBC Two drama Desperate Romantics. Dante Gabriel Rossetti is played by Aidan Turner; William Holman Hunt by Rafe Spall; John Millais by Samuel Barnett; Fred Walters by Sam Crane; Lizzie Siddal by Amy Manson; and John Ruskin by Tom Hollander. Desperate Romantics also stars Jennie Jacques as Annie Miller and Zoë Tapper as Effie Ruskin Episode 1 Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Holman Hunt and John Millais declare their irreverent genius to the Victorian artistic establishment as frequently and as loudly as they can. Unfortunately for them, only one man seems to be listening. Fred Walters is a shy hanger-on who ingratiates himself with the Brotherhood by locating the "perfect model" – flame-haired Lizzie Siddal, a hat-shop assistant. Though none of them quite yet realise it, she is soon to be the most famous model in Britain. Fred immediately falls in love with Lizzie, but he cannot compete with Rossetti's charisma and self-belief. Lizzie, meanwhile, begins to model first for the hard-working and pugnacious Hunt. The boys' adventurous, anti-establishment style and choice of subject matter and model brings them to the notice of brilliant and influential art critic John Ruskin. Encouraged by Ruskin's interest, and still smarting over their rejection by the Royal Academy, the boys decide to mount an exhibition of their own. One step away from anonymity and poverty, they invite Ruskin in the hope of securing his approval, which is vital to launching them into a world of fame and fortune. As they work towards each painting becoming a masterpiece for their make-or-break exhibition, they find themselves distracted by poverty, hunger, jealousy and lust. Here is the episode guide link. |
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Post by Prior Engagement on Jul 15, 2009 6:59:08 GMT -5
Tom's character is very complex, as I'm sure some of you know. I think I've declared my interest in Ruskin on the other thread. I am looking forward to seeing how much more he is included in the ensuing episodes from both the historical and the Hollanderical aspects  The performance is everything you'd expect from Tom. Sensitive, hesitant, considered and very touching from the very first time we see him on screen. As you must have gathered, he doesn't have very many scenes but they are all pivotal and his presence draws you in. ...This seems a little too self-regarding but in the spirit of saving time, here are the general notes I wrote about episode one. It read like a load of pompous twaddle but I don't have the energy to rewrite now:- I suppose the thing that impressed me the most was that our four (and eventually five) main male characters established themselves so quickly and seamlessly. The lovely Sam Crane (seen much more often in the National Theatre building next door) had the thankless task of delivering elephantine lumps of exposition which were gently scripted and seductively presented. Shot in HD, there were some alarming exposure issues but I suspect the small screen will be more forgiving. There is one exterior scene where the fizzy white glare of what should have been sky was almost too much to watch. This was a real shame since every other visual element was so carefully considered and beautifully placed. The art direction was joyous and most of the DoP's work was exciting. When you can smell a scene, you know you're in good hands. As another credit to the cast, who were an appropriately motley bunch of beings, the unforgiving HD clarity showed each of them in a good light and when in modeling mode, the females were quite ethereal. There's an element of silliness about this script that will be criticised by purists, though I have yet to read Brian Sewell's notes. However, the lightness of many scenes will probably prove to make to more dramatic and poignant sections have a greater impact as the series progresses The performances were a joy. Rafe Spall was bigger and more brash than I'm used to but somehow managing a pulled-back and yet entirely appropriate portrayal of a 'maniac'. Both Sams were gentle and considered with Mr Barnett's sweet and delicate youth gently glistening and yet holding his own with the older boys. Rossetti seems like the role that Aiden was born to play and I would levy the claim of lazy casting if it weren't for the feeling that it is also perfect casting. The pivotal role of Ruskin is delivered with the heartbreakingly tactile tones so unique to Tom Hollander and I hope his role is followed carefully in further episodes. I found the casting of Mark Heap as Dickens rather curious and whilst I fully understand the role he played in the narrative, I found his this portrayal unnecessarily ridiculing and sadly, Mark's marvelous comedy bones float rather too near the surface to make it credible. Mark Benton, on the other hand, was a beautifully forboding lump whose subtle, physical restraint was priceless and in no need of dialogue. The discussion that followed was very entertaining and whomever organised it had the good sense to deploy the apposite (not to mention mature eye candy) talents of Tim Marlow to chair the meeting. He was joined by Peter Bowker, Ben Evans, Rafe Spall, Samuel Barnett and the beautiful, Amy Manson. |
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Post by beckettologist on Jul 15, 2009 15:59:18 GMT -5
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Post by beckettologist on Jul 18, 2009 20:17:37 GMT -5
Here is an interesting review.Here's another site wiht a synopsis of each episode. You can go here an scroll to the bottom to select an episode. |
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Post by Prior Engagement on Aug 9, 2009 17:13:44 GMT -5
Wow, not much discussion going on here. Where has everyone gone? I popped in to say that DR will be the main topic of discussion at next weeks recording of You Have Been Watching. If anyone in the UK is keen enough, you can grab free tix here but if you're not familiar with the format, it will be a satirical look at the show from a panel of mainly comedians or wry commentators. No members of the cast will contribute but they will show clips from the show. I think the show will air on Wednesday week. |
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Post by beckettologist on Aug 9, 2009 22:13:25 GMT -5
Wow, not much discussion going on here. Where has everyone gone? I popped in to say that DR will be the main topic of discussion at next weeks recording of You Have Been Watching. If anyone in the UK is keen enough, you can grab free tix here but if you're not familiar with the format, it will be a satirical look at the show from a panel of mainly comedians or wry commentators. No members of the cast will contribute but they will show clips from the show. I think the show will air on Wednesday week. Thanks PE! I put it in my programmes on RadioTimes and I will tune in next week. I feel so lucky to be able to get the iPlayer here. It *is* a bit slow here isn't it? I wonder what Tom is up to these days... today in my Twitter searches I got an interesting one: "Gr8 evening at Trehilyn, Griff Rhys Jones' farm. Pig roast followed by play with Tom Hollander & others."Now *that* sounds intriguing. Was Tom in a play or were they all just playing on the farm?  Any ideas on what that was about? |
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Post by beckettologist on Aug 14, 2009 19:58:56 GMT -5
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fiona
Abingdonian
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Post by fiona on Aug 15, 2009 17:15:53 GMT -5
I'm quite enjoying it (not just for Tom...) but it's quite fun and enjoyable in the 'I don't care if it isn't accurate' way. They aren't trying to be. What I hate is when they try to be and then just fail at it.
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Post by beckettologist on Aug 18, 2009 13:10:08 GMT -5
I was not sure where to put this but I had to share it with anyone interested in further investigation of John Ruskin, the role Tom is portraying in Desperate Romantics. You are all probably tired of hearing me drone on about Ruskin but I can't help it. If I can finish a 900 page biography and still want more on the guy then there must be something to him. And there is. I am not one to usually read biographies in the first place but this just hooked me. Maybe it was because Tom is playing him but I find the guy fascinating. So now I am moving on to other things Ruskinian—Praeterita. This is his autobiography and it is captivating. Especially after reading the biography. I have the book itself but found some online sources to it to tease you with here. It is like sitting with the guy and having him tell you all about his life. It is both delightful and heartbreaking and unconventionally conversational as an autobiography. I wish I could have known him. As I read it I can't help but think how wonderful it would be to have an audiobook of this read by you-know-who. Anyway, enjoy! |
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Post by Prior Engagement on Aug 19, 2009 9:19:26 GMT -5
Thanks PE! I put it in my programmes on RadioTimes and I will tune in next week. I feel so lucky to be able to get the iPlayer here. It *is* a bit slow here isn't it? I wonder what Tom is up to these days... today in my Twitter searches I got an interesting one: "Gr8 evening at Trehilyn, Griff Rhys Jones' farm. Pig roast followed by play with Tom Hollander & others."Now *that* sounds intriguing. Was Tom in a play or were they all just playing on the farm? Any ideas on what that was about? Sorry - I missed that tweet! I think it was a screening with Q & A. You Have Been Watching is on Channel 4 so you won't get it on iPlayer. I started to watch last night, then fell asleep! All the guests were complimentary about it but also wry and satirical. |
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Post by sgflautist on Nov 14, 2009 19:37:24 GMT -5
Question: Does anyone know when Desperate Romantics will come out on dvd in the U.S?
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Post by beckettologist on Nov 15, 2009 1:17:58 GMT -5
Question: Does anyone know when Desperate Romantics will come out on dvd in the U.S? No but you can sign up at Amazon to be notified: Desperate Romantics ~ Aidan Turner, Rafe Spall, Tom Hollander, and Samuel Barnett (DVD) Sign up to be notified when this item becomes available. If you simply can't wait you can get it Region 2 and stick it in your computer. That is if your computer will let you change region codes. I wish they would just standardize all DVDs. It is so frustrating because the different regions often have different stuff on them. I am really curious to see if the Loop DVD has a different set of people in the Commentary. Such as the Americans instead of Tom, Chris, Peter, Gina and Armando. Betcha anything the US version has Gandolfini and Mimi Kennedy and that dummy David Rasche (sorry, but I was appalled at how little he knew about the very movie he was in when we saw him talking at the LA FilmFest). |
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ineko
Dragon
"...never too late to learn, eh?"
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Post by ineko on Nov 15, 2009 9:47:07 GMT -5
No but you can sign up at Amazon to be notified: Desperate Romantics ~ Aidan Turner, Rafe Spall, Tom Hollander, and Samuel Barnett (DVD) Sign up to be notified when this item becomes available. If you simply can't wait you can get it Region 2 and stick it in your computer. That is if your computer will let you change region codes. I wish they would just standardize all DVDs. It is so frustrating because the different regions often have different stuff on them. I am really curious to see if the Loop DVD has a different set of people in the Commentary. Such as the Americans instead of Tom, Chris, Peter, Gina and Armando. Betcha anything the US version has Gandolfini and Mimi Kennedy and that dummy David Rasche (sorry, but I was appalled at how little he knew about the very movie he was in when we saw him talking at the LA FilmFest). I agree with you, Deb. I wish too that the different regions don't have different stuff. Because of that, I've got three different regions "Lawless Heart" DVD! LoL. And I've been looking for the older region 4 "Bedrooms and Hallways" DVD which has some extras. Does anyone have and watch it? I've not found it yet...  |
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Post by beckettologist on Nov 15, 2009 12:57:38 GMT -5
No but you can sign up at Amazon to be notified: Desperate Romantics ~ Aidan Turner, Rafe Spall, Tom Hollander, and Samuel Barnett (DVD) Sign up to be notified when this item becomes available. If you simply can't wait you can get it Region 2 and stick it in your computer. That is if your computer will let you change region codes. I wish they would just standardize all DVDs. It is so frustrating because the different regions often have different stuff on them. I am really curious to see if the Loop DVD has a different set of people in the Commentary. Such as the Americans instead of Tom, Chris, Peter, Gina and Armando. Betcha anything the US version has Gandolfini and Mimi Kennedy and that dummy David Rasche (sorry, but I was appalled at how little he knew about the very movie he was in when we saw him talking at the LA FilmFest). I agree with you, Deb. I wish too that the different regions don't have different stuff. Because of that, I've got three different regions "Lawless Heart" DVD! LoL. And I've been looking for the older region 4 "Bedrooms and Hallways" DVD which has some extras. Does anyone have and watch it? I've not found it yet... Three of Lawless Heart? Wow. I have region 1 & 2 and neither have any extras about Tom. 2 has a nice interview with Bill though. Please don't tell me that your other region does have Tom! Accck! I don't know anything about the other versions of B&H. I only have our region on that one but I do know that that film seems to be hard to get and more expensive than most others for some reason. I think the DVD manufacturers must get together and plot how to make more money off of us.  |
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ineko
Dragon
"...never too late to learn, eh?"
Posts: 93
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Post by ineko on Nov 15, 2009 16:35:44 GMT -5
I agree with you, Deb. I wish too that the different regions don't have different stuff. Because of that, I've got three different regions "Lawless Heart" DVD! LoL. And I've been looking for the older region 4 "Bedrooms and Hallways" DVD which has some extras. Does anyone have and watch it? I've not found it yet... Three of Lawless Heart? Wow. I have region 1 & 2 and neither have any extras about Tom. 2 has a nice interview with Bill though. Please don't tell me that your other region does have Tom! Accck! I don't know anything about the other versions of B&H. I only have our region on that one but I do know that that film seems to be hard to get and more expensive than most others for some reason. I think the DVD manufacturers must get together and plot how to make more money off of us. Yeah, I have region 1 & 2 too. I was disappointed that they didn't have any Tom in extras. (I enjoyed Bill's interview, though.) Anyway, I also have Taiwan version. But don't worry, Deb. It has nothing about Tom except the film itself.  But it has English subtitles! It's worth buying to me, because I didn't understand the film without subtitles when I first bought it and watched it. So I bought the third one for subtitles. Hehe. Btw, it seems nearly impossible to get the older region 4 B&H. I want to know if it has Tom in extras, but... (I know the newer region 4 B&H is now available, but it doesn't have any extras... ) Well, I don't give up! I'll look for it a little more. Maybe someday...who knows?  |
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The performance is everything you'd expect from Tom. Sensitive, hesitant, considered and very touching from the very first time we see him on screen. As you must have gathered, he doesn't have very many scenes but they are all pivotal and his presence draws you in.
