5 reviews
Having stumbled upon 'The Sculptress' on IMDb some years ago, I was immediately interested: Pauline Quirke ('Birds of a Feather') playing Olive Martin, a young woman incarcerated for brutally murdering her mother and sister, with Caroline Goodall as a work-hungry novelist trying to understand get inside her murderous psyche. After a few years trying to see it, I finally managed to borrow it on an old VCR and settle down one evening to watch it.
The first hour and a half is highly captivating portraying Olive and Roz (Goodall) initial encounter with Roz embarking on her investigation. The acting between Quirke and Goodall is fantastic, the script is well written and the directing is highly admirable. It was a pleasant surprise to see the exteriors of Oxford Prison, primarily known for it's use on ITVs 'Bad Girls', being used for the forbidden jail where much of the action takes place.
My main issue with 'The Sculptress' would be that I did find that the scriptwriter (and possibly Minnette Walters in her original novel) went off on a complete, wild tangent. He appears to forget about Quirke - who for the bulk of the second hour and half isn't featured – and instead focuses way too much on Goodhall's character and the unnecessary subplots surrounding her character. Because of this, the dark psychological thriller-element seems to be abandoned and it quickly turns into any other trashy TV drama. The seemingly-hastily written ending is rather obscure and very confusing. It is jam-packed with twists, turns and one-too-many flashbacks, leaving me completely baffled as to what had actually happened. I am a great admirer of open-endings but this was far too unclear and a little too amateurish.
Nonetheless, Pauline Quirke was sensational as Olive Martin. Forget Sharon Theodopolopodous - here she is barely recognizable: hidden beneath a gigantic fat-suit, with long dark hair and a ghostly-pale complexion, borrowing an evil glare in the process. I was particularly unnerved by the eerie lullaby she sings over the credits at the end. I did feel for Caroline Goodall's character when she and Olive come face to face in that dark prison cell. Caroline Goodall was also very good as the eager journalist desperate to uncover the truth behind Olive's disturbed behaviour.
Still, I'm very glad I was finally able to see this and would recommend it to anyone interested in the psychological thriller/crime-detective genre. Not to mention, anyone who admires Pauline Quirke.
The first hour and a half is highly captivating portraying Olive and Roz (Goodall) initial encounter with Roz embarking on her investigation. The acting between Quirke and Goodall is fantastic, the script is well written and the directing is highly admirable. It was a pleasant surprise to see the exteriors of Oxford Prison, primarily known for it's use on ITVs 'Bad Girls', being used for the forbidden jail where much of the action takes place.
My main issue with 'The Sculptress' would be that I did find that the scriptwriter (and possibly Minnette Walters in her original novel) went off on a complete, wild tangent. He appears to forget about Quirke - who for the bulk of the second hour and half isn't featured – and instead focuses way too much on Goodhall's character and the unnecessary subplots surrounding her character. Because of this, the dark psychological thriller-element seems to be abandoned and it quickly turns into any other trashy TV drama. The seemingly-hastily written ending is rather obscure and very confusing. It is jam-packed with twists, turns and one-too-many flashbacks, leaving me completely baffled as to what had actually happened. I am a great admirer of open-endings but this was far too unclear and a little too amateurish.
Nonetheless, Pauline Quirke was sensational as Olive Martin. Forget Sharon Theodopolopodous - here she is barely recognizable: hidden beneath a gigantic fat-suit, with long dark hair and a ghostly-pale complexion, borrowing an evil glare in the process. I was particularly unnerved by the eerie lullaby she sings over the credits at the end. I did feel for Caroline Goodall's character when she and Olive come face to face in that dark prison cell. Caroline Goodall was also very good as the eager journalist desperate to uncover the truth behind Olive's disturbed behaviour.
Still, I'm very glad I was finally able to see this and would recommend it to anyone interested in the psychological thriller/crime-detective genre. Not to mention, anyone who admires Pauline Quirke.
- Arctic_Wizard
- Mar 17, 2010
- Permalink
- richard.fuller1
- Oct 26, 2006
- Permalink
Writer Rosalind Leigh is handed a new project, the story of Olive Martin, aka The Sculptress, an obese woman imprisoned for the brutal murders of her mother and sister.
The first of The BBC's dramatisations of the books of Minette Walters. The book is excellent, justice is done with this excellent adaptation. It's brutal, powerful, intense and intriguing. You will question Olive's guilt, and the behaviour of those involved.
Quirke is superb as The Sculptress, I can remember thinking at the time it's a long way from Birds of a Feather, I was left in no doubt as to talents of the actress behind Sharon Theodopolopodous after this, it's a superb performance. Christopher Fulford and Caroline Goodall are fantastic also.
There is a temporary lull in the middle as the focus switches away from Olive, but the beginning and ending are superb. 9/10
The first of The BBC's dramatisations of the books of Minette Walters. The book is excellent, justice is done with this excellent adaptation. It's brutal, powerful, intense and intriguing. You will question Olive's guilt, and the behaviour of those involved.
Quirke is superb as The Sculptress, I can remember thinking at the time it's a long way from Birds of a Feather, I was left in no doubt as to talents of the actress behind Sharon Theodopolopodous after this, it's a superb performance. Christopher Fulford and Caroline Goodall are fantastic also.
There is a temporary lull in the middle as the focus switches away from Olive, but the beginning and ending are superb. 9/10
- Sleepin_Dragon
- Dec 19, 2019
- Permalink
The book is definitely something to read. I practically finished it in an entire week. Wow, what a masterpiece. Have yet to see the movie, but I recommend the book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller/mystery. Minette Walters does an extremely wonderful job in her descriptions and you can practically see what's happening in your head. So if you're looking for a great read, try Minette's books, as i've been reading them since I read "The Sculptress" and each new book has a different surprise, be it murder, or some other fun thing. Check them out and enjoy a new author's take on Murder, Mayhem and best of all Mysteries! I know I'll check them out throughout time to time.