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.

Intrigued by the great cast, I gave this movie a shot. Have not familiarity with the source it is based on or how much material there is to work with.

Movie starts out nicely. Again, great cast. I was immediately intrigued by our lowly and lovely heroine. Yet, overall this movie is way to short and did not give enough service to the blossoming relationship before the movie evolves into a more melodramatic and suspenseful arena. Ultimately, this leaves very little emotional impact to ..well...anything that happens.

Decently acted, but felt that most of the very good cast did not feel all that invested in the effort. I think an expanded version of the first half of the movie before all the melodrama would make an excellent watch.

Regardless, the movie is probably worth of watch if you like period pieces. It is mostly entertaining but otherwise just a trifle.

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.

Before watching this film, I knew nothing of the story. It proved to be about Emily Fox Seton (Lydia Wilson), a young English woman who married for financial security. As it progressed, it became a suspense story, with Lydia Wilson being the best part of the production.

The film includes beautiful scenery and settings. The music adds much to the film's mood. And the costuming is absolutely wonderful.

The narrative might have enchanted Alfred Hitchcock, with its foreboding images and a sense of claustrophobia that surrounds Emily as her circumstances change and she begins to feel helpless within her situation.

If you like beautifully filmed period pieces, I recommend this film to you.

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.