Daphne [2007]

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Audience Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over Binding: DVD EAN: 5014503258429 Format: PAL Label: 2 Entertain Video Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: 2 Entertain Video Region Code: 2 Release Date: 2008-06-30 Running Time: 88 Studio: 2 Entertain Video Theatrical Release Date: 2007
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Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: First-rate BBC production, though a few minor gripes Comment: This quality drama, with three fine performances from the trio of leading actresses, is immensely enjoyable, moving and worthwhile. It is the type of production that the BBC should make more often. Focusing mostly on details of Daphne du Maurier's love life as derived from her personal letters, a major source for Margaret Forster's biography of the author, "Daphne" sees the title character, the enduringly popular author, played by Geraldine Somerville. Many reviewers note that Somerville is familiar to audiences for her small role as Lily Potter in the "Harry Potter" franchise but to me, she will always be "Panhandle" Penhaligon from "Cracker" (this no doubt means I am showing my age!). I liked Somerville's performance, one of quiet restraint that successfully highlights du Maurier's repression of her romantic feelings; but in the more intimate scenes I thought perhaps the mask needed to slip a little more in order to convince us that du Maurier truly was troubled by her feelings for other women. Somerville is most convincing in the scenes showing du Maurier's apparently ultimately disappointing romance with her husband. The highly talented but still comparatively little-known American actress Elizabeth McGovern plays Ellen Doubleday, the woman who reignites du Maurier's seemingly long-dormant "Venetian" passions, "Venetian" being du Maurier's code for "lesbian." This is a good turn from McGovern, who is as faultless as ever in the role that she is asked to play, but Ellen Doubleday, as written, comes across somewhat more inconsequential and lightweight than the viewer can believe the complex character of du Maurier we are shown would truly fall for. The most fun is Janet McTeer as Gertrude Lawrence, whose straightforward approach to life and love is in stark contrast to du Maurier's tortured agonies about herself. Gertie shows Daphne how to have fun, something that clearly, entertainingly, bewilders the author. McTeer, getting some of the best lines, decides to steal the scene two or three times, and gets away with it. Despite its few minor flaws, "Daphne" gets five stars from me because it is highly entertaining, with a distinctly different subject matter and tone to most TV dramas. Committed du Maurier fans would no doubt like to see more about the writing process, du Maurier's literary inspiration and her experiences of being one of the most successful novelists of her day. We do see a glimpse of the (unsuccessful) US plagarism action against du Maurier over "Rebecca", and hear the novelist herself remark, with a tone of annoyance, that it is always that novel that receives attention ahead of all her other work. However, for the most part, du Maurier as author is sidelined in favour of du Maurier the emotionally tortured, at least semi-"Venetian" married woman. This will not please all viewers, but "Daphne" succeeds in being stylish, affecting and memorable, and is a cut above the vast majority of televisual offerings on offer both on TV and DVD. This drama looks, sounds and feels captivating, a truly rare achievement. There are two minor gripes that should be covered as a footnote to this review. The first is that the attention to detail of "Daphne" is somewhat let down by the editing. A telling example is the shots used of jazz band members at the beginning and end of the film, who are meant to be two groups playing at functions several years apart. It is not simply that they are the same band wearing the same clothes; the shots themselves are identical, and both my friend and I noticed this immediately when watching this film for the first time. This is the kind of thing good editing should most certainly pick up. Secondly, a word about the DVD: somewhat disappointingly, there are no extras whatsoever on the Region 2 version. Some internet reviews suggest that a documentary regarding du Maurier is included (perhaps on other region releases), but only the film is on the Region 2 disc. A great pity that the BBC could not arrange to include some extra material here to complement the main feature. Customer Rating: Summary: Daphne Du Maurier Comment: This is an eye opening story into the private life of Ms Du Maurier. I'm not sure it's much of a biography though as we only see a small chunk of her life that deals with her sexuality and how her attraction to women came to plague her and affect her family life. The movie begins with her trip to America to contest allegations of plagarism in the hit novel 'Rebecca'. There she meets Ellen Doubleday for whom she develops a strong attraction and infact potentially falls in love with. Unfortunately, it is a love that is not reciprocated and cannot be. This leads to lots of personal struggles and she tries to deal with the 'loss'/ rejection. This leads to her meeting Gertrude Lawrence, a famous actress, with whom she starts a relationship that is not without its own problems. I enjoyed this movie more than I thought I would. I don't think it's the best way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the great author as it isn't really a biography. We have no idea where she started and where things went. A bit of a let down in that respect. More Reviews