Daniel Deronda

 

 

Create your own review

One of George Eliot's most brilliant novels was "Daniel Deronda," a heartfelt story about a young man searching for his past, and in it, his future. The BBC did a brilliant job dramatising this, with an excellent cast and an exquisitely beautiful backdrop -- and all the feeling, message and passion of the original book.

Daniel Deronda (Hugh Dancy) is the ward (and rumored illegitimate son) of a nobleman, but he feels somehow aimless and unfulfilled -- he wants to devote himself to something, but doesn't know what. During a tour of Germany, he encounters pretty, reckless, arrogant Gwendolyn (Romola Garai) at a casino.

Gwendolyn (who boasts that she gets everything she wants) is interested in Daniel, but when her family loses all their money, she marries a rich suitor, a relative of Daniel's -- knowing that his mistress and illegitimate children will be disinherited. But she soon finds that her new husband is a sadistic brute, and sees Daniel as her only help.

Meanwhile, Daniel rescues the despairing Mirah Lapidoth (Jodhi May) from a suicide attempt, and he helps the young Jewish singer find a home and friends. As he helps her find her family, he becomes passionately attached to the Jewish population and their plight. Then he receives an important message -- one that will illuminate his roots, and give him a course of the future.

When Eliot published her final novel, it caused a massive stir -- not many novelists tackled the plight of the Jewish population, or how it compared to the gilded upper classes. In a way, "Daniel Deronda" is both a love triangle and an allegory -- Daniel must choose between the pretty, shallow English life (Gwendolyn) or a rich Jewish heritage (Mirah) with a background of tragedy.

The movie itself overflows with beauty -- sumptuous rooms, colourful ball gowns, rambling mansions, even the brilliant Mediterranean. But it has substance as well, with excellent direction in moments both beatiful and hideous (the wedding night scene).

In fact, the direction gets stronger as the movie progresses, such as Daniel's tightly-wound conversations with his mother, and the last few conversations with Gwendolyn. And the cinematography is excellent -- the shot of Mirah slowly descending into the dark river is exquisite and chilling, like something from a beautiful horror movie.

Handsome Dancy is one of the reasons this movie works so well -- Daniel is a kind, almost saintly person, but Dancy manages to imbue him with the restless, yearning quality that the character needed. Garai is excellent with the immature, selfish girl who desperately wants to be better. And while May is not as conventionally pretty as Garai, her performance is much more striking, such as when Mirah tells Daniel about her father trying to sell her.

"Daniel Deronda" could have been a pompous mess with an annoying lead, but instead it's a magnificently nuanced, beautifully filmed story about finding out who you are -- and who you're destined for. Brilliant.

i am not a huge fan or British Literature, for that matter i have a particular dislike for VICTORIAN British Lit. i had to read DANIEL DERONDA for a class many moons ago and loved, loved, loved the book (which i highly recommend to anyone-- it's 800 pages, a bit of a commitment, but well worth it).

the movie version of George Eliot's last novel is one of the fairest productions which is based on a book i have ever seen; the characters are presented as brilliantly here as they are in the book (with the small exception of Jodhi May as Mirah-- she was far too old to play her!). The sections of the novel which seem long-winded are presented fluently and gracefully, and the iterations which are wonderful to read are an even bigger joy to watch. Hugh Dancy as the title character does not overplay Deronda's inward contemplation nor does he downplay the spurts of emotion. Romala Garai as the beautiful Gwendolen Harleth-Grandcourt portrays her complex and difficult with ease and candor; a true triumph!

I would definately recommend this movie to anyone whose got a rainy afternoon to spare and fans of BBC productions to boot! You will not be disappointed!

Daniel Deronda is a visual masterpiece. Based on the novel by British author, George Eliot. It tells the story of a young man searching for his true birth lineage and a young woman searching for a way out of poverty. It is a very poignant adaptation of the book. I would highly recommend watching the movie.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 22 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly Surprised
I wasn't sure what to expect with this story. I hadn't seen it on TV prior to purchasing the DVD but I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Read more

Published 20 months ago by Pamela Mckinnon

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely beautiful film
Extraordinary acting and captivating story! The character Daniel Deronda possesses that blend of sensitivity and ability to see right into others' souls that is so rare... Read more

Published on July 14 2004 by Michelle

2.0 out of 5 stars Slow pace, rather unacceptable ending.
I don't see that much attraction between Daniel and Mirah, so Daniel's sudden "enlightenment" as a Jew made him realize he loved Mirah who is a Jewess in the movie is... Read more

Published on Feb 20 2004 by Falling Maple

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't watch this movie unless you want to suffer!!!!!!!!!!!!
I eagerly purchased this movie when I found out that the screenwriter was the same as wrote A&Eï¿s Pride and Prejudice (indisputably the best movie ever! Read more

Published on Oct 29 2003 by CarCar

5.0 out of 5 stars BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY!!!
The actors portray the characters of George Eliot's Daniel Deronda SO well that one is almost immediately drawn into the story... Read more

Published on Aug 1 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary Story, Rich Drama, Great Acting!
The story is about searching, searching for true identity, searching for love, and searching for destiny. Read more

Published on July 18 2003 by Z. Yang

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Marvelous................
I had the wonderful opportunity to first view this film on Masterpiece Theater on PBS. Based on one of George Eliot's lesser-known novels, this film serves as a fascinating... Read more

Published on July 13 2003 by irmita

5.0 out of 5 stars to viewer from lala land, CA
to the viewer from lalaland Ca....geroge eliot is a woman...she had to change her name to that of a mans in order to get published....so yeh, she's really not homosexual....

Published on July 11 2003

4.0 out of 5 stars "That's not what this is about, Lush."
Having a familiarity with the field of psychology, I have always found morality plays fascinating. If you delight in thought-provoking films with careful layers of morality and... Read more

Published on April 19 2003 by Charity Bishop

5.0 out of 5 stars perfection
This is a an excellent period drama, a great story well done. The actors were all perfect, the costumes and scenery are lush. I loved every minute of it.

Published on April 18 2003

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 22 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!