Written and directed by Laura Piani, this classic love triangle so beloved by Jane Austen is more of a drama than a traditional romcom. And all the better for it. It's all about Agathe (the excellent Camille Rutherford), single (of course) working in a bookshop in Paris (of course) living with her sister and her husband and young son. Her friend Felix has sent the start of a novel Agathe has written to a Jane Austen retreat and she is thereby invited to stay. Reluctantly she goes and is met at Dover by Oliver, a very distant descendent of Jane.
At first they do not get on at all well. So far so predictable. But gradually their relationship thaws, especially when they share their own heartbreaks. A fabulous few minutes. I liked the story, it was witty and bright, I liked the other people staying at the retreat, a number of interesting characters. But then who should arrive but Felix who has decided Agathe is more than a friend. And so here is the main thread of the story as Agathe is torn between Felix and Oliver. It's only very, very late on that they discover who they are meant to be with.
The lead actress Camille Rutherford has a French mother and British father, so her English at the retreat is perfect even though they want to speak to her In French. Camille appeared in Anatomy of a Fall and The Three Musketeers, Milady. Charles Anson who plays Oliver appeared in Downton Abbey as Larry Grey. Laura Piani I found had contributed to the story for the six episodes of Philharmonia (See post of 3rd August 2020).
One review says "a little different from from the normal Austen adaptations and spin offs and a little more intriguing". Most of the reviews are quite positive, but not that in Summer 1925's Sight and Sound Magazine. Catherine Wheatley calls it "not altogether successful" and finishes with "the pallor of all that's gone before". I thought it was lovely.
No comments:
Post a Comment