Absolutely Terrible Casting 🍿😩

I agree Fanny Mr Spall was Mr Turner. Like Mr Turner or nor. He was quite uncouth I believe. So excellent casting in the main.

Ken I’m struck by the similarities between Turner and Samuel Johnson.
Johnson is believed to have been on the Autism Spectrum, and I think that elements of the ASC fed into Spall’s portrayal of Turner.

(I’m struggling to get exactly the right words, but I think that you get my gist!)

They both had complicated relationships with their Housekeepers - Hannah and Queenie

Fanny, we don’t know if Turner grunted and huffed all day long, it was very wearisome. I don’t agree that any actor would have played it that way.

Well, it was a Mike Leigh production, so it would have been a work of collaboration and improvisation.
Spall employed method acting and even learned to paint like Turner (he nearly pursued a career in art when younger).

But, seeing as it was written and directed by Leigh, yes, it would have been a very similar performer by any actor

Performance

Casdon

Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet. I like her, she just wasn’t right for the part.

I actually watched the film on tv last night. Had seen it at the cinema when it first came out and enjoyed it but hadn’t watched it since. Didn’t intend to watch it but got rather drawn into it. By the end of it I’d decided that I preferred it to the tv adaptation and surprised myself by getting a bit choked up at the end ( did the same with the Carey Mulligan film of Far From the Madding Crowd).

I watched it last night as well MayBee70 I hadn't intended to either. I then took the book to bed to fill in some of the gaps. I thought Matthew was perfect as Mr Darcy, with just a touch of vulnerability behind the frosty exterior. Seeing him walking through the mist at the end reminded me of George Clooney coming out of the storm drain carrying the little boy in ER. My daughter and I turned to each other and both said "Oh NOW I get it!" because we'd never thought much of him before.

Maybe, in a superficial way, it’s because Matthew has aged so much better than Colin Firth. But also it showed how Lizzie had got it so wrong about Darcy. And also showed in a better way than the tv series how he had become captivated by her. I’m always ( as someone that isn’t usually moved by romantic films) surprised when I find myself getting emotional at the end of a film. I remember not being able to leave the cinema at the end of Brokeback Mountain because I was crying so much. And Last if the Mohicans gets to me every time.

I agree about Rowan Atkinson and Maigret - dreadful. Wasn't it Rupert somebody who played the part (back in the 50s I think)?

I loved the film Bridges of Madison County and thought it was really touching.

I thought Brenda Blethyn as Vera was just fine - and Alison Steadman as Mrs Bennett.

I think Roger Allam has a beautiful voice, and was perfect in Endeavour.

Musicgirl

Florence Pugh as Amy in Little Women. Amy is supposed to be an immature, rather silly girl, who would almost certainly have a high, giggly voice. Florence Pugh's rather gravelly smoker's voice and worldly wise manner was totally wrong for the character.

Absolutely agree. Can’t think of a more miscasting example. The whole film lacked the sparkle of youth and personalities of the March family. Also the changes the film made to the book where Jo’s book was published by the local rag instead of the publisher friend of Professor Bhaer. I have never forgiven the screenwriter for ruining my beloved Little Women.

I thought Leslie Howard was a perfect Ashley Wilks and could understand totally how Scarlett could have fallen for him. Had it come to anything he would undoubtedly driven her mad with his dreamy ways, which were far more suited to Mellie!

Michael Caine as Alan Breck in Kidnapped. The accent is excruciating

An oldie, but one I was recently reminded of. MrB hadn’t seen it before and tried to watch it but gave up after a short while.

This thread is nearly two years old. (Incidentally, I haven’t seen any posts from Fanny for quite a while.)

Patsy70

This thread is nearly two years old. (Incidentally, I haven’t seen any posts from Fanny for quite a while.)

Yes, I noticed that but it seems that people are still finding it interesting. So they’re posting.

John Wayne as a Roman soldier in one of the ‘Jesus’ films. Excellent American accent at the foot of the cross

Fanny Cornforth left a long time ago.

Patsy70

This thread is nearly two years old. (Incidentally, I haven’t seen any posts from Fanny for quite a while.)

I dragged it back up again because I put a search in for Pride and Prejudice and wanted to re read what people had said about it in the past. Sometimes it isn’t worth starting a new thread if there’s an old one that is still relevant. I don’t do that with eg personal issues in which people have probably moved on but if it’s something like a book, film or tv series review I’ll reactivate an old one.

I always found that quite puzzling as she was all over GN at one time 🤔

I suppose people come and go.

Lovetopaint037

Musicgirl

Florence Pugh as Amy in Little Women. Amy is supposed to be an immature, rather silly girl, who would almost certainly have a high, giggly voice. Florence Pugh's rather gravelly smoker's voice and worldly wise manner was totally wrong for the character.

Absolutely agree. Can’t think of a more miscasting example. The whole film lacked the sparkle of youth and personalities of the March family. Also the changes the film made to the book where Jo’s book was published by the local rag instead of the publisher friend of Professor Bhaer. I have never forgiven the screenwriter for ruining my beloved Little Women.

I bought the dvd ages ago but still haven’t watched it. I quite often do that and find the film is being shown on tv and I still haven’t got round to watching it. I noticed that Florence Pugh ( who I hadn’t heard of) is also in Midsommar. Another film that I bought on dvd but have been scared to watch in case it’s one of those films that might pop into my mind if I’m outside in the dark or if there’s a power cut! This happened with the Charlton Heston film of The Omega Man. I was scared to go into the garden for years after watching that. Have never watched Blair Witch Project for the same reason ( although curious to know what happens in it). Still haven’t got over The Exorcist …

When I first read The Thorn Birds I was thinking of Richard Chamberlain playing the part, if it was made into a film, however, I never imagined Rachel Ward as Meggie Cleary.

Yes, FannyCornforth, agree Andie MacDowell miscast in Four Weddings. She was completely outshone by the stunning Kristin Scott Thomas, & like me, friends thought KST would end up with Hugh Grant! Oddly, that wonderful early shot of KST looking amazing whilst wearing a huge straw hat has now been cut from the version they show on TV.

Betony

Yes, FannyCornforth, agree Andie MacDowell miscast in Four Weddings. She was completely outshone by the stunning Kristin Scott Thomas, & like me, friends thought KST would end up with Hugh Grant! Oddly, that wonderful early shot of KST looking amazing whilst wearing a huge straw hat has now been cut from the version they show on TV.

I don’t know if Fanny is still reading, but, she posted this in July 2023
Plus the fact that she might not be with us which could be upsetting for some members who have known her for a long time.

Timothy Spall in Mr Turner thought it was one of the worst films I ever saw

Musicgirl

Florence Pugh as Amy in Little Women. Amy is supposed to be an immature, rather silly girl, who would almost certainly have a high, giggly voice. Florence Pugh's rather gravelly smoker's voice and worldly wise manner was totally wrong for the character.

Agree whole heartedly.

I didn’t rate Matthew Macfadyen as Darcy-and he didn’t think it was the best part for him.
I really liked the first one I saw with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier and I’ve enjoyed every version since.

On the other hand I thought Rowan Atkinson was surprisingly good as Maigret.