The Tide of Life

"The Tide of Life" is a 3x45 minute TV period miniseries (circa late 1800's) based on the novel by prolific authoress Catherine Cookson. The film follows the life and loves of the winsome, dutiful, hard-working, and ever honest button-cute housekeeper Emily (Gillian Kearney) as she strives to carve a life for herself from the farms and villages of rural coastal NE England. As watch Emily overcome one hardship after another in her quest for happiness, her dauntless and earnest approach to life always serving her well, this melodramatic tale passes quickly through time skimming over details and leaving many characters under-developed as though the entire novel was crammed into 3 hours giving it a rushed feel with no lingering in the moment. "The Tide of Life" is not the best of the Victorian TV dramas coming out of the UK and pales before the likes of "The Forsyte Saga" or "The Mayor of Casterbridge". Nonetheless, it should be an enjoyable watch for distaff viewers into Victorian drama. (B)

I love all the Catherine Cookson novel miniseries films, but I do think this one is my favorite followed by The Wingless Bird. I thought Kearney, Stevenson, and Purefoy were all very credible in their parts. James Purefoy was as handsome as I've ever seen him look in this film, and the costumes suited his looks perfectly. I am dumbfounded why Mr. Purefoy has not been cast in some more well known projects.