Dorathen
Better Late Then Never
Ella-May O'Brien
Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.
Richard Bailey
Prior to Downton Abbey, this was the best drama series of the last twenty years. I appreciate that's a bold statement, but it really was that impressive. Many years since i'd seen the black and white TV series, that ran for so long it became a little tiresome. Damian Lewis was nothing but captivating as Soames, playing him in a way that at times you questioned whether he was the victim or the villain. The casting of Gina McKee at the time I wasn't crazy about, but seeing it over a few times I find her pretty good. Nyree Dawn Porter will never be bettered as Irene.Series one 10/10Series two 6/10
ferdinand1932
This is one of the best mini-series. It has a strong book, excellent adaption and very good production values. The narrative takes its time and enjoys its characterizations and episodes.The performances and following the characters over so many years makes it engaging, just like a 19th century novel. All the actors are on form and while comparisons with Eric Porter's huge portrayal of Soames in the 1960s in invidious, Lewis takes this essentially tragic character completely.Likewise Gina Mckee as Irene is fully realized, and McKee, in the 1920s sequences at least, resembles Virgina Woolf so perfectly that she must be automatic casting for any films about that writer.The story is best in the first half to two-thirds as it uses a refrain later on and by then is overly thematic toward the end as the younger children are not as interesting and their relationships to their parents are repeated too often.The discordant note is the aging of the cast. The story starts in 1874 and by the end Soames is in his mid-70s, June is about 66, and Irene about the same age yet they appear to be ageless, or about the mid-forties. Difficult to do with make up without it being distracting.
pericles1
Am at a loss to understand why John Carlisle's name was omitted on the cast list for this mini series. His is a key role, since he plays the father of Soames, James Forsyte. I'm seen him at Stratford-upon-Avon, in England in major roles such as Theseus in A Midsummer's Night's Dream and others. Shame.He has also played characters in Shakespeare's Cymbeline, is an outstanding graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and has had extensive stage appearances in London and New York. Add to that his numerous appearances in television and you have it. His golden voice has been heard on numerous occasions and audiences have come to identify his work with excellence.
Flower_of_the_Lily
I recall watching this when it was first aired (on ITV, I think) and recently re-watched some of it when round at a friend's - and found it very thought-provoking. Read on ...Whilst we can always rely on the good old BBC to produce a great costume drama whilst blindfolded and handcuffed, I've always thought ITV's efforts to be hit-and-miss affairs. So which is The Forsythe Saga? Predictably, both.Visually, there's no problem - it's a gorgeous production, the script is nicely paced, and a generous amount of time is allocated to each of the main characters so we can watch the most interesting developments without getting bored or losing sight of the big picture. This is truly a family saga, spanning several generations and their friends and enemies, their acts and consequences. It's also a cracking story - I've never read the original novel, so can't vouch for it's accuracy, but the script is very well done.But I'm afraid the largest stumbling-block comes in the form of casting. This, ostensibly, ought to be Irene Forsythe's story - pressured into a loveless marriage by a guardian who ought to be taking care of her, the victim of a cold, and often brutal man who violently rapes her, she dares to risk it all for a chance at true love with a young businessman. Tragedy and eventual bittersweet joy result. The majority of our sympathy ought to be with Irene.But unfortunately it doesn't work out like this. Gina McKee looks beautiful, but whether through the script she was given or a decision to play Irene as a sad, reserved woman, she comes across as unfeeling, unresponsive, and totally indifferent to those around her. Indeed, it's hard to see why one man would become obsessed with her, let alone three or four. It was difficult to relate to her, with the only moments I genuinely felt bad for her being Soames's violent attack and when she is told of Bossiney's death. Ioan Gruffudd by the way, does his not inconsiderable best, but his character is really just a means to an end - a common-or-garden bold young man who loves the central female character and prompts her escape.I spent the majority of the viewing time, meanwhile, cursing Damian Lewis - he is simply superb. He takes the vile Soames - a bully, a cruel, violent rapist, a jealous and possessive husband - and at times threatens to win sympathy totally from Irene. His repressed passions and darkness glimmer beneath his surface, and his spurned adoration of Irene prompts genuine pity. Damn you Lewis, we're not supposed to like Soames! But he is by far the most complex character of the series, and Lewis emerges as a star-in-waiting.Every other actor and actress does themselves credit, but Rupert Graves deserves a mention as a an excellent contrast to the cruel Soames. But it's the above love triangle that drives the story. Make up your own mind where your sympathies lie, but definitely worth a viewing.
