Let Me Gather My Thoughts on Little Women 2019...

Hello darlings!

It feels so nice to be back at my laptop writing blog posts for your enjoyment (I hope!).
I am quite excited for today's post, in which I will be chatting about the latest Little Women adaptation and comparing it to the beloved 1994 version--which is my personal favourite.

1994 vs. 2019

As previously mentioned, this adaptation is my favourite and one of those lovely films that warms my heart!
It is the one I've watched the most too.
I believe it captures the warmth and charm the story best and makes me want to go back to it again and again.

I'll also admit that I think Christian Bale makes the best Laurie, portraying him as the sweet, boyish character we all love from the book. Winona Ryder is a perfect Jo and brings her to the screen wonderfully aswell.

Overall, I think am quite biased as to my feelings about this version!
But now let us discuss the most recent adaptation...





As I had strong attachments to the older adaptation of the story,
I admit I was skeptical about what this new adaptation would be like.
But I was surprised, and I actually enjoyed it. I don't like it quite as much as the 1994 one but it was still pretty good.

Emma Watson, Saoirise Ronan, Eliza Scanlen, and Florence Pugh were all fabulous and played their roles wonderfully.
It took me about half of the film to get used to Timothee Chalamet as Laurie. But he was alright apart from the fact that he looks like a teenager throughout the whole film, which doesn't really work when they have all grown up, got married and there he is still looking 18 (and Chalamet is actually 24...)!

Aside from that, there was a scene where Amy is talking to Laurie and some of the things she says had a slight feminist edge to them that irritated me a little.

Other Thoughts

Costumes
This is always my favourite part about period drama films! I'll insert pictures of some of the ones that I rally liked.

Jo's outfit here is so suited to her personality!

What girl wouldn't want to attend a ball in this dress!

This might be my favourite of all of them!

Beautiful dreamy Meg!

Again, Amy has a beautiful wardrobe!

The cinematography and sets were really beautiful and well done too. I loved the scenes in the garden like the photo above and John & Meg's wedding.

Plot

The plot was done slightly differently to the other adaptations I've seen. We are introduced to the characters when Meg is already married and a lot of what happens towards the end of the book has already happened in the beginning of the film. 

Then it goes back and forth between the past when they were young to the present events unfolding.

Not sure if that made sense!

So to wrap up this post, I did enjoy this adaptation and recommend it to those who love the story or would like an introduction to the book. But I do highly suggest that if you haven't already read the book go read it right now!

The book is best and is so dear to my heart! talking about it makes me want to go back and reread it.

keep blooming,

"Life seems nothing more than a quick succession of busy nothings."

Dreamy!

How does one put into words all a review of a movie when they love it so much they have no words?
This is my dilemma right now. You see, after seeing the 2007 adaptations of Mansfield Park I decided that it wasn't my favourite JA story. But after watching this one, I LOVE IT!

I'm trying to figure out how to go about this review, I suppose I'll just begin to chat about what I loved about it(well, technically ALL of it was my favourite but that goes without saying!).

First of all, there are two quotes which I loved and stood out to me as I watched:
1. The title of this post, "Life seems nothing more than a quick succession of busy nothings" (- Fanny Price). It's soooo true though! Sometimes life does feel like that. When I heard it, I went back instantly so I could save it.
2. "There are as many forms of love as there are moments in time" - Edmund Bertram
Is this not one of the loveliest quotes you have ever heard?

♥♥♥

Next thing I want to point out is how many of the cast I recognized. I love it when that happens, and usually one of the actors/actresses are from Downton Abbey!
For instance, in Mansfield Prak, there was: Johnny Lee Miller (Mr Knightly in Emma), Lindsey Duncan (only seen her in a Poirot movie, but still..), Victoria Hamilton (Ruby Pratt in Larkrise to Candleford & Queen Mother in The Crown), Charles Edwards(Michael Gregson from Downton) and last but definitely not least........Hugh Bonneville(who I'm sure you know...*whispers, "Downton"*) played the very cringy Mr Rushworth. I mean look.......(ugh, that hair!)...

On the right

Moving on, I love Fanny and Edmund. Together, obviously but also as individuals. Fanny is a perfect mixture of a person who enjoys reading but is also intelligent and doesn't have her head in the clouds like some heroines who read a lot. She's not full of airs from being partially brought up in more upper-class society, even when she returns to her lower class family for a time.

The carriage scene!!!! My ♥!

Edmund and Fanny have a sort of brother/sister relationship, to begin with, but that grows into something more over time as they get older. Edmund is a good sort. 

He is sensible, friendly and loyal.

I was a bit annoyed at his attentions towards Mary Crawford, but that didn't go far when Edmund realised Mary's true colours and character.

Overall, Fanny and Edmund have are a sweet couple and the fact that they spent a big part of their childhood together makes it sweeter!

~

Meh.

Naturally, I did not take a liking to Henry Crawford. Though I do think that I much prefer this actor for Henry Crawford than the actor in the 2007 adaptation.
Mary Crawford was also not my favourite, to say the least. I was glad when Edmund was no longer interested in or engaged to her. I also like this actress better than in the other movie although they look strangely similar.

Love this picture, it's so dreamy and pretty!

Of course, the setting and style of the movie were lovely! The Regency period style was less gorgeous than say...the Victorian and Edwardian era(where the dresses are sumptuous and amazing!) but I still loved all the feels from that time period.

Though I have not read the novel, I do believe that Frances O'Connor played Fann marvellously. I like it when actresses aren't drop dead gorgeous but naturally beautiful and the simple makeup style helps. 

~

Again, despite me not having read any of Jane Austen's main 6 novels right through. if the movies depict her stories right, it seems to me that Austen had an incredible talent for casting her characters. She always has such a wide range and so many of them!

I love Fanny's little window desk nook.

This adaptation vs. the 2007 version is a perfect example of how it the story(portayed in a movie) can be great or not so great based on how it is presented. I for many reasons didn't enjoy the 2007 one as much. I thought that Mansfield Park(the storyline itself) was nit interesting and a bit dull. A lot of moping around until Edmund sees clearly and realises he is in love with Fanny. Whereas this version was utterly lovely and sweet!
(Hope I didn't lose you just there!)

I really liked this outfit of hers!

So that, my darlings, is most of the thoughts I could compose together about this wonderful movie.
I confess I nearly watched it again tonight(like a few days after first seeing it!).

~

Tell me, have you seen it and which version do you like better?

xoxo
Hannah

Dear Juliet...

To be honest, this is probably one of the movies I have seen the most and I'm going to tell you why in this post!
Every time I've seen this I loved it more and last night in bed while watching it for the 5th or 6th time, I couldn't stop smiling to myself as I watched the story unfold and Charlie make his funny comments on Sophie's ideas and behavior.
Anyway, without further ado, here are some of the reasons why I love this funny, romantic, summery movie.

Sophie and Charlie's love story

They have one of those funny love stories where they started off not liking each other but then seeing the other person for who they really are thus falling in love! I quite like this trope and it is quite entertaining and more realistic than intsa love. Sophie is a darling and Charlie, a good sort.
They find out that they actually have more in common than they thought too.



Charlie's lines

This is a perfect example! He just says the best, funniest, slightly annoying and romantic things!
You have to watch it to understand but trust me went you do, you'll be giggling at his lines and come to like him a lot for it.



Claire and Sophie

Claire is a lovely lady and her relationship with Sophie becomes very sweet. She reminds me a little bit of my own Nonna(grandmother ♥).
Claire is kind, caring and motherly to both Charlie(her grandson) and Sophie.



The Ice cream Scene

It's just cute, okay! Especially when he does it back!



The lovely, summery feel

It's set in Italy so of course, it gives all the summery(and Italian) feels. Sunshine, fields of grape vines, cobblestone streets, gelato, flowery window boxes and of course, balconies entangled with vines!

Clean content

Aside for a few comments that might be better left out, this is a very clean chick flick and I do appreciate that.

Of course, there are some kisses....and I will get to that in a minute!

The ending...the kiss!

Who doesn't love a happy ending? Or a funny ending? After a misunderstanding, they work things out while Sophie is up on a balcony, of course!



Overall, this is a nice movie and I recommend it to all of you who like this sort of thing!
As girls, I think movies like this are our one weakness(got the reference?)!

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

xoxo
Hannah

My 3 Favourite Poldark Characters

Since I recently started watching this series, I have formed mixed feelings about it and it's characters.
I have quickly chosen which characters I like best and so since I haven't had a rant about period dramas on here for a wee while I thought I would now!

One note I would like to make is that everyone has their flaws and that is certainly true in Poldark. So I admire these characters for their honorable traits.

Verity Poldark

From very early on, Verity impressed me. She is one of those sweet, honorable, innocent souls that just deserves a happily ever after. Ruby Bentall (who in my eyes will always be Minnie from Larkrise to Candleford) plays her and suits the character. It was a little strange to see her in more 'fancy' costumes because in her role as Minnie her wardrobe is limited to her maid outfit and a few simple country dresses.
Verity, at 26, is on her way to becoming the 'old maid' of the Poldark family. That is until a certain Captain comes along! I was glad to see her happily married by the end of Season 1. (Spoiler?)
I like how she is one of the first of the 'upper-class Poldarks' to befriend Demelza after Demelza weds Ross. She is very kind and accepting of Demelza and tries to help her become accustomed to a more upper-class way of living.
Oh, Verity, I look forward to seeing what Season 2 holds for you!






Dwight Enys

First, of, I'd like to note how I believe this actor slightly resembles Dan Stevens/Matthew Crawley. Does he not? (proof right there that I have seen too many period dramas!)
Dwight is similar to Ross in that he cares about helping those less fortunate. He's a good doctor who wants to help the poor.
I look forward to seeing him and Caroline Penvenen meet in the future seasons! In Season 1, Dwight makes a bad mistake but what I do like is how he handled the consequences.
Despite this incident, I believe he is a good character and has some good qualities. (And some dreamy blue eyes, which I always have a weakness for, except in George Warleggan's case. Ugh!)






Demelza Poldark

Demelza, Demelza, dear Demelza! There is sooo much that I love about Demelza and I think it is safe to say that I saved the best for last. From her gorgeous(dyed) red locks to her good stubbornness and love for Ross, Demelza is truly lovely.
She went from a dirty, unrefined, girl who had nearly no manners(and a pathetically cute curtsy) to a decently accomplished lady. A great transformation, thanks to Ross and Verity!
After marrying Ross, she struggled to know where her place was because she was no longer a servant but she didn't feel like she belonged up there with Elizabeth Poldark and the rest.
I love her costumes, simple but still pretty. I much prefer her ballgowns to some other ladies' gowns.
Her hair, even though it is dyed for the role, is beautiful. I love red hair!
What she did for Francis, Elizabeth, and their family when they were sick was very honorable and cost her her own child when she got sick too.
She is selfless and doesn't put on airs after she became higher up the social ladder when she married Ross.


Bonus mention:

Ross Poldark

Though Ross didn't quite make it into my top 3, I still wanted to mention him. He is by no means perfect but what I do admire about him is how he wants justice for the poor and goes out of his way to try and make their lives better.
Despite his social status, he is not puffed up. He loves Demelza even though he still has some feelings for Elizabeth (Grrr!).
The scene where he tells Demelza that their daughter died is very touching! I love the scenes where he seems to forget completely about Elizabeth and shows his affection for Demelza.
(And you have to admit that he is rather dashing! Especially galloping along through the sea wind on his wild, dark horse.)



Now your turn, who do you admire form Poldark?

xoxo
Hannah

Sarah, Plain & Tall: Book vs. Movie

I am delighted today to bring to you my comparing thoughts on a story that has become a dear favourite of mine.
I had seen the movies years ago. Then a few weeks ago I listened to nearly the whole series(except the very last book) on audiobook. I fell in love! The very first book is my favourite and that is the one I will be discussing today.

The Book

Summary from Goodreads:
"Set in the late 19th century and told from Anna's point of view, Sarah, Plain & Tall tells the story of how Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton comes from Maine to the prairie to answer Papa's advertisement for a wife and mother. Before Sarah arrives, Anna and her youngest brother Caleb wait and wonder. Will Sarah be nice? Will she sing? Will she stay?"


The audiobook I listened to was read by Glenn Close(who plays Sarah in the movies) and she read it really well. She had a different voice for each character and you could even hear smiling in her voice at the appropriate moments.
MacLachlan's writing is addictive and really lovely.
Caleb is my favourite character, besides Sarah, of course. He is curious, bold in asking questions and very cute.

There are five books in total:

1. Sarah, Plain, and Tall
2. Skylark (both from Anna's POV)
3. Caleb's Story(Caleb's POV)
4. More Perfect Than the Moon(Cassie's POV, Spoiler: Cassie is Jacob and Sarah's child)
5. Grandfather's Dance(I have not read this one yet, Cassie's POV)

The Movie

Glenn Close plays Sarah very well in my opinion. She suits the role. She is exactly as she is in the book. Kind, friendly, sea-loving, hardworking, and well...she's Sarah!

Christopher Walken plays Jacob Whitting. Jacob in the movie is rather more dull and grim than the Jacob in the book, and I'll explain more about that later.

Anna and Caleb are played by Lexi Randall and Christopher Bell. Christopher Bell is a very cute boy in the movie and suits his role perfectly.
Caleb is the same in the movie as he is in the book, but Anna is different.

And now these are the differences:

1. In the book, the whole Whitting family greatly anticipates Sarah's arrival and all hope that she will stay. Neither of them has any resentment toward Sarah replacing their previous wife and mother. But in the movie, Anna is unhappy that her father sent for a new mother and takes a little while to adjust. Jacob too, has a hard time letting go of his deceased wife and accepting Sarah to truly help them.
That's the biggest difference between the book and the movie.

2. The Whitting's neighbors, Maggie and Matthew. In the book, Maggie is from a different area of America and so she has a different accent. In the movie, however, she is Dutch or German or something along those lines.

3. This is only a little thing but in the book, they own two dogs, Lottie and Nick. In the movie, there is only Nick.

How cute is he? ♥♥♥

Overall, I think the book is better but whether you watch the movie or read the book you will still get a lovely story.
Have I convinced you to pick up this story for yourself?

xoxo
Hannah