Customer Reviews
Brilliant Suchet and Henderson - By: Mrs. E. C. Young, 07 Jul 2008 
I don't understand the poor reviews. I've read the novel many times (it's one I'd take to my desert island), & yes, a lot has been left out, but the performances of David Suchet & Shirley Henderson alone make this a 5*in my opinion. Outstanding, both of them, & Matthew McFadyen was also excellent as Sir Felix.
Brilliant (if you haven't read the book?) - By: S. Finch, 19 May 2008 This production seems to have attracted low ratings from those who have read the book - I haven't & coming to it with an open mind I think it is brilliant. I originally watched when it was first broadcast, & have just rented it from Amazon. I enjoyed it so much the second time that I've ordered a copy. One reviewer criticised the acting - were we watching the same thing? David Suchet, Matthew McFadyen & Shirley Hendersonin particular are outstanding. Rather than portraying Marie as an imbecile (as one review suggests) I saw Marie as a young woman of great spirit & strong will. I've also been a fan of Matthew McFadyen since first seeing himin this. In addition there were some lovely touches of humour that had me laughing aloud. Well done to all involved. PS the extra feature on Trollope is also worth watching & explains some of the changes made from the book.
Disappointed - By: C. O'Neill, 11 Mar 2008 
Do not read the book before you watch the film. The novel is terrific, but because there had been so many changes made to the plotin this production I was left feeling very dissatisfied & let down. I am sure Anthony Trollope would have found his work unrecognisablein parts.
Silly Trollope - By: Mr. J. P. Eedy, 07 Mar 2008 
Dont bother.Poor screenplay,poor direction,mainly second rate actors & acting.If you want an excellent adaptation of Trollope I recommend The Barchester Chronicles.Its brilliantin all departments.
It's amusing enough, but ... - By: Wulf Barnim, 31 May 2007 
It is a mystery to me, why script writers & directors undertake to turn a classic novel into a film, only to start mucking around with the plot once they get going. The sad thing of course is, that Trollope did a much better job at telling the story, then they could ever hope to do. All these modern "improvements" hurt the production. It is quite entertaining though to see the actors suddenly slip into modern vernacular, because the writer did not get the language of the times write. On the downside, I felt David Suchet overacts Melmotte. Shirley Henderson portrays Marie, Melmotte's daughter, as an imbecile. Why she would do that, I can not begin to understand. Overall, it is still watchable (3 stars for that), but if you enjoyed the book do not expect anything much.
