Desperate Romantics

Some reviewers are taking things way too seriously. This is a fun, bawdy take on the life and loves of the Pre-Raphaelites. It's certainly not meant to be a piece of art scholarship. You see, there's this genre called historical FICTION. I almost turned it off in the first few minutes because I thought it going to cheesy but am so glad I didn't. It's funny, fast moving, well written, well acted, and infinitely watchable. But why oh why only one season??

Yes, well it may not be completely accurate and the writers may have taken certain liberties with the characters and the timelines, but I thoroughly enjoyed this show. It's a fast, funny, witty, sexy romp which doesn't take itself too seriously. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, as is the fact that everyone seems to be having a really good time playing some very interesting characters. I've watched it about three times now over the years and have enjoyed it every time. It's also made me curious to read up more about the PRB and their work. The actual PRB and their circle were, in many ways, extraordinary and occasionally over the top, and their lives were pretty fantastical, so this version really isn't much a stretch - I rather think they would have appreciated the 'inventive spirit' of the show's creators in bringing a contemporary interpretation of their story to the screen, as mentioned in the introduction / disclaimer at the beginning. If you want a staid art history docu-drama, this may not be for you. But if you want a fun, well made, entertaining, modern interpretation of a particular time and place and a group of people whose lives were, at times, stranger than fiction, go for it.

This BBC drama series on the Pre-Raphaelites concentrates on three major artists - Millais, Hunt and Rossetti, and uses a fourth member of the Brotherhood, critic Fred Stephens, as narrator and fall guy. On the whole the drama works well, with a humorous edge designed to illustrate the somewhat chaotic circumstances of the artists' lives. The character of the artists is well differentiated; perhaps understandably, there is not much about the differences in their art. In fact the series concentrates on personal lives rather than art. Plenty is seen of their various women, both literally and in terms of screen time, and those who are averse to lusty sex scenes will need to fast forward sometimes. The stand-out performances are perhaps Tom Hollander as the art critic Ruskin, and Amy Manson as the tragically ill-used Lizzie Siddal. The period settings are well done.

Anybody watching the series expecting a realistic portrayal of the lives of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood will be disappointed however those just wanting an enjoyable romp with a good story that is well acted then this is just the thing. The characters were delightfully over the top without coming over as parodies.

The story follows the lives of artists Millais, Rossetti and Hunt along with their fictional friend Fred Walters as they recruit models Lizzie Siddal and Annie Miller and fall in love with them. The other main character is John Ruskin who supports their work.

While we do see some of their art the series was far more interested in their romantic entanglements which means there many sex scenes which means a fair amount of nudity... no strategically positioned sheets here. Another main theme is their quest to gain a patron who will enable them to become established.

From the moment it starts it is clear that this is going to be a romp as the music is as over the top that the story it goes with. Some people might not like this but I found it very jolly and suited to the story. The acting was fine throughout, I especially liked Amy Manson and Jennie Jacques's performances as Lizzie and Annie, I can see why the men in the story were besotted by their characters.

Desperate Romantics is a period drama set in 19th century London. It tells the story of the lives and loves of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. This six episode series is inspired by the non-fiction book "Desperate Romantics: The Private Lives of the Pre-Raphaelites" by Franny Moyle.

The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was founded in 1848 and consisted of a group of English painters, poets and critics. They defined themselves as a reform movement whose purpose was to return to creating art with abundant detail, intense colors and complex compositions. Although the series is inspired by the non-fiction book, this is not a historically accurate account of the artists lives.

The story starts with the brotherhood as hopeful unknown fringe artists and follows them as they become well respected and well compensated artists in demand. While there is little interjected on the actual painting done by the artists, the series main focus is on the personal relationships of the brotherhood. This is drama that does not take itself too seriously. Rather than linger on the tragedies it portrays, it keeps a steady current of passion, enthusiasm and ambition throughout each episode. The members of the brotherhood will stop at nothing to succeed in attaining their desires. They betray each other in small and large ways over and over again, but through it all, they cling to their dysfunctional friendships.

The exuberance of the young hopeful artists on a mission to change the world of art is contagious. As a viewer, I got caught up in the excitement of being on the verge of a revolution. The obvious rebel bad boys of their time, the brotherhood refuse to conduct themselves in a manner fitting polite society. Their personalities are volatile and unpredictable, and the artists are often prone to loud outbursts when they don't get their way. All this makes for interesting television. Relationships are full of passion, anger and urgency. The dialogue is clever. The series moves along at a quick pace and the musical score is a pithy composition that keeps the overall mood light.

Even though the focus is on the male artists, the lead female characters are not one-dimensional. They are strong women with their own ambitions. They stand their ground and refuse to be treated as subservient docile creatures used only for their beauty and companionship.

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. It made living like a starving artist look like a really good time and because of the lasting success of the brotherhood, it also seems like a noble pursuit.