The Making of a Lady

I agreed to watch this one just for my girlfriend, so we could spend some quality time together, and it turned out to be pretty good. I was expecting a major yawn-fest about ladies in big hats drinking tea, but it actually had a very intriguing plot, full of deceit and attempted murder, etc.; it wasn't really an "edge of your seat" type of thriller, but it had enough to keep me interested throughout. The plot was somewhat original, although not entirely dissimilar from some of the other standard fare from this genre, such as Jane Eyre. It was also very well-acted and had good production values; the sets and locations looked very authentic and the background score was appropriate. In my opinion, it was an entertaining film.

A lot of reviews say this is bad, but I didn't think so. Before watching, I had no knowledge of the story, just that it was a period piece. I'm glad for that, because it surprised me. It did start out as a love story, and just when I was settled to watching another period romance (I don't like romance), it suddenly became something different.

I admit, the story was a bit rushed. I don't know the original book, but maybe a two-part treatment would have been better. The beginning does start off at a good pace, but then suddenly everything seems to happen in a short space of time.

I have seen it compared to ITV's other period piece, Downton Abbey, but the comparison is completely wrong. While both have beautiful pictures, excellent costumes, and happen when women still wore long skirts, the similarities stop there. This is a TV movie, that is a long series. This is somewhat Gothic in feel, and centers around one woman, that has the character list that could be the length of one of my old school headmistresses' speeches (she was known for speaking for hours).

I thought the acting was done superbly. The main character, Emily, is played by Lydia Wilson, and she shows the required amount of gentle intelligence and slight naiveté that is required for the story. The other characters are sufficiently creepy, helped along by the equally creepy music.

I am going to read the book, and I'm sure the movie will wet other people's appetites as well. Partly because it feels like there should be more of the story.

The romantic scenes in this movie are beautiful - tender and intimate, and both of the main characters are very appealing. I wish that there had been more development of Emily and James's relationship in the beginning of the film, because it is so compelling. Excellent acting and very believable portrayals of the two main characters and their positions in society, as they come together. The intense, 'horror' part of the movie is unsettling, but also well done. I think this movie would have been considered a great romantic drama if the scene at Emily's bedside after James's return from India had been stronger. He is such a likable character, but this scene falls short. The setting and costumes are also beautiful. Well worth watching for the love story and scenery, just not quite up to the mark for a classic.

Brilliantly cast, beautifully acted, and intriguingly suspenseful. Linus Roache is criminally underrated, and Lydia Wilson's performance is impeccable. This film deserves far more credit than it's given, and has more rewatch value than your typical Masterpiece options.

I was also surprised by the negative reviews. I admit this movie is a bit different than most... but I was captured from the start. The first half is a wonderful romance followed up by rather a bizarre, if not particularly scary, horror type yarn. It is different but not bad.

Emily Fox Seaton is poor and works for the very haughty Lady Maria. Emily knows Lady Maria's nephew Lord James Walderhurst who is, older (50s) and looking for a wife. While doing a favor for Walderhurst and moving a particularly annoying potential bride away from him at dinner, Emily is fired by Lady Maria. Walderhurst, follows Emily home and asks her to marry him. His proposal is as romantic as nails with him basically saying... what choice do you have? Emily accepts and prepares herself for a loveless marriage and her "duty". Thankfully, the relationship unfolds in a tender and pleasing way and they come to share a steady mature love that I was rooting for.

But then, Walderhurst goes on a mission to India. Alone, pregnant, and living in a somewhat empty mansion 10 miles from the nearest village she is overjoyed when Walderhurst's cousin and his wife come to visit. Alec will inherit the estate if Walderhurst does not produce an heir and thus is not to be trusted, but Emily is lonely and wants to believe. Things get quite crazy from this point on in the "Lifetime" movie of the week vein. But it doesn't go on long and is very captivating.

I found the first half of this film very enjoyable so even if the second seems not your cup of tea I would recommend it.