The Mill on the Floss

Engaging, set in a historically rich time, Mill on the Floss (1997) is a memorable walk with thoroughly human characters. As it unfolds amid much background detail, the story becomes somewhat more real than simply an exercise in the willing suspension of disbelief. The film is somewhat kinder to today's viewer than the original novel, with sensible variations well integrated. We need schooling in ethical mechanics for dealing with our own life choices, and this fine film offers an agreeable way

Emily Watson is magnificent as usual in this film and typically makes it her own with her very presence. Not beautiful in the clichéd, typical Hollywood way, Watson sets the screen on fire with her fiery passion and electric sexuality. When she is in a scene, one finds it impossible to take their eyes off of her. Her eyes are captivating and those uniquely seductive lips fascinate. She is a superb actor and her art is aided dramatically by her sexual power. The viewer is overwhelmed by that sexual intensity whenever she appears. No other actress in the history of film has communicated fantasies of unrestrained passion by simply standing before the camera lens. In fact, the camera is hers to do with as she wishes, just as every man watching this film is. No, she is not fashion model beautiful. This is a real woman, a woman who as she progresses through her 40's is just reaching the epitome of her seductive magnetism now. Emily Watson is this film and it is all her. One star must be subtracted because other actors interfere too often with Watson and are really unnecessary to the pure enjoyment of Watson's fantastic performance and unwavering passion.

I found The Mill On the Floss to be delightful--a story of the traditional conflict between mill owners and farmers with a "Romeo/Juliet" overlay. The scene of the flood waters presents one of the basic hazards faced by mill owners. As someone interested in old mills, the inclusion of photographs both inside and outside the mill provided a real treat. The story line contained enough action and romance to keep my attention focused. Although others may find this type of entertainment "mush", I find it refreshing. Imagine, a movie without profanity and graphic sex. What a concept! I have not read the book, but after viewing the movie, I certainly will.

Its kind of like walking on a sandy beach, and finding a partially-buried skeleton of some animal. Some of the jumbled bones are sticking up here and there, but there's no meat on them. The book requires a much longer mini-series to do it any justice. Most of the action will be completely incomprehensible to anyone without a general understanding of the social history of the time. The production wastes an amazing amount of time on arty underwater shots.

It reminds me a bit of "North and South" and the 2011 version of "Jane Eyre" in the sense that it's not a feel-good romantic period piece and the setting is pretty stark. Frankly, it's not particularly romantic at all. I suppose it's a character study more than anything. The main character has her own idea of integrity that I'm not even sure I agree with.

I kind of liked the film but I see why other people don't; it's flawed: the movie depicts the close sibling relationship but, the actors who played the siblings didn't have much familial chemistry with each other (the actor who played Tom was particularly dull) so their scenes felt flat and pointless.

Stephen and Lucy felt a bit generic as well. James Frain was wonderful and deep as Phillip but, so much so that he stuck out and it felt like he should've been a character in a different (and better) movie. As I mentioned, I "sort of" liked the movie but, it was very flawed.