Every Sunday evening I get the craving to watch something PBS-ey, some period piece miniseries that takes six hours to finish and leaves you feeling happy and nostalgic. Andrew rarely gives in to my desire, hating both nostalgia and six hour chick flicks, but yesterday I was able to convince him. We watched Masterpiece Theater Classics Wuthering Heights, the 2009 version.
Has anyone read Wuthering Heights? I haven't. It was written in 1847 by a woman, Emily Bronte. I was certain the movie was going to be a great mini series, akin to Jane Austin or Elizabeth Glaskell. Full of family drama but ending with the protagonist happily married.
How have I lived my life as a bookie and 19th century nerd and never heard that Wuthering Heights was the most miserably depressing story ever told? It is full of death and selfishness and evil. The author even dies! One year after it was published.
How have I lived my life as a bookie and 19th century nerd and never heard that Wuthering Heights was the most miserably depressing story ever told? It is full of death and selfishness and evil. The author even dies! One year after it was published.
Andrew and I sat watching, stunned expressions on our faces as the story unfolded. When Cathy tells Nelly that her love for Edger is like the changing leaves, but her love for Heathcliff is like the rocks below the vale. And then she marries Edger! When Heathcliff beds Cathy's husband's sister in revenge for Cathy getting pregnant by her own husband! Then Cathy dies and Heathcliff continues to ruin everyone's lives instead of just killing himself right then!
Andrew and I both went to bed last night disturbed. Andrew was particularly upset by all of the incest. "Isn't Heathcliff like her BROTHER?"
But their love was so passionate and wild! I don't regret watching it but it was NOT what I was expecting!!
3 comments:
You should watch the bbc mini-series Foyle's War. The first episode is slow, but then you are hooked! I may or may not be addicted.
The book is just as depressing, if not more than the movie.
i'm pretty sure jen has read it.
Yeah I read that book for an English class once. I don't really remember the details though. That movie looks good! Have you ever seen the 6 hour pride and prejudice? I LOVE LOVE LOVE that one!
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