Villains we sympathise with (Part 1),

Here are two more villains which I think many people sympathise with:

Carver Doone:

Carver is one of the villianous Doones of R.D Blackmores Lorna Doone. The Doone's are a wild, lawless and brutal outlaws and Carver is their future leader. Carver is betrothed to the beautiful Lorna Doone and although Carver is able to have anyone he wants he truly wants Lorna because he loves her. However Lorna doesn't reciprocate these feelings, as she is in love with another man, John Ridd. Carver is extremely jealous and risks his life, that of the Doone's and jeopardises the future and the existance of the Doone hideout in order to get Lorna back from John. Carver's love for Lorna totally overtakes him and is eventually the death of him. In his last moments he is sinking in a bog and refuses to take the staff which is extended out to him by John Ridd.
Carvers life is a tragic one, he loved but never felt love, he saw everything that the generations before him work for their entire lives collapse before his eyes only after a short time in his command. However Carver's final moments show his spirit in the fact that he would never give up or give in.

Henry Crawford:

Henry Crawford is one of the key characters in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. Along with his sister Mary, he causes a lot of havoc within the Bertram/Price family. After failing to snap-up one of the Bertram sisters- Maria Betram, Henry settles upon their un-appreciated cousin simply to amuse himself and with every intention of making her fall in love with him. However Henry, in his pursuits is the one who falls in love, and reforms himself entirely to show Fanny how seerious he is about her. When reading the book (which is one of my favourites) I really don't like the character of Henry however I think he does give an effort to change for the sake of Fanny. He goes to a lot of trouble to prove his love is not inconstant and unfortunately despite everything his does fall short and his proposals to Fanny are rejected.

Henry is, pehaps considered a villain we sympathise with because when he tries to change and prove his feelings are true, he is rejceted and humilliated. Although I do not agree with his actions after (or before for that matter) he fall in love with Fanny (running off with the married Maria Betram) I can understand his disappointments may lead him this way. And I do believe Fanny's refusal hurt him alot.

Can you think of any other villains we may sympathise with?

Movie Review; Lorna Doone (TV 2000)

Film: Lorna Doone

*If you want to know more about the storyline of the film before reading the review check out my post here: Lorna Doone post #1

As I posted a few days ago, I recently bought the film Lorna Doone and I watched it last night and it was fantastic. I was so impressed! There were very few differences from the novel and which weren't even that noticeable. I was convinced this film would be a 'prettier', 'soppy', 'spruced up' version of the book however it had all the lovely grit, battles and darkness from the novel but were expertly balanced against the beautiful backdrop of the English countryside.

The actors were wonderful and I was surprised to see so many familiar faces. As soon as I saw Richard Coyle, who played John Ridd I couldn't help but exclaim "Mr Coxe" as I recognised him as the unlucky in love apprentice of Mr Gibson in 'Wives and Daughters'. Other notable actors/actresses were Barbara Flynn (Wives and Daughters, Cranford, Miss Potter), who was wonderful as Sarah Ridd- John's mother. Aidan Gillen was extremely impressive as Carver Doone who despite his evilness I found myself sympathising with, his performance was outstanding. Amelia Warner (Love's Brother, Arisocrats) didn't simply act her role she was Lorna Doone, she was beautiful, serene, kind and captured everything I always felt Lorna was in the novel.

I also thought John's sisters were both played beautifully by Honeysuckle Weeks and Joanne Froggatt (Robin Hood -TV series and Downton Abbey). And James McAvoy!!! Yes James McAvoy (Becoming Jane) had a small role, he is very cute and  looks so young- make sure you keep an eye out for him. Another smaller role I thought was played fantastic was that of Marwood de Whichehalse portrayed by Jesse Spencer, he did a wonderful job!

I was little worried about the chemistry between John Ridd (Richard Coyle) and Lorna Doone (Amelia Warner) before I watched the movie, they are one of my favourite literary couples- so I was quite worried but I loved them as a couple. Richard and Amelia were gorgeous together and despite never having thought Richard Coyle handsome or a great actor, due to the way he played the character I found myself falling ever so fast - in love with him :)

If you haven't seen this film, I highly recommend it. It is definitely one of my all time favourites (I wish I had seen it years ago) and even though I watched it only last night, I am definitely going to make time to watch it again tonight.

Have you watched any movies lately that you thought were pleasantly surprised with? I'd love to hear about it!

Love,

Tristans_Isolde



Richard Coyle as John Ridd



Aidan Gillen as Carter Doone



Amelia Warner as Lorna Doone



Jesse Spencer as Marwood de Whichehalse



James McAvoy as Sergeant Bloxham
and Joanne Froggatt as Lizzie Ridd

My latest findings; Lorna Doone (TV 2000)

Today I was quite excited when I came across a movie I had been wanting to see for quite a while. I first read Lorna Doone by R.D. Blackmore when I was quite young but re-read it last year, and fell in love with the story all over again. The version I bought is the BBC made for TV one which was released in 2000. I haven't watched it before so I hope it is not too much different from the book. I would love to hear your thoughts on this movie if you have seen it.

If you have never heard of 'Lorna Doone' or are curious about the movie don't worry I will be posting a review up as soon as I get a chance to watch the film. But to give you a quick 'snapshot' of the storyline here is a little paragraph on the plot.

Lorna Doone is a romantic sevententh century adventure set in Exmoor, England where the land  is terrorized by a lawless gang of outlaws; the Doones. As a young child, John Ridd witnesses his fathers murder at the hand of the Doones. Years later John, sworn to avenge his father, wants revenge on the Doones until a chance meeting with a beautiful girl with a mysterious past, Lorna Doone, the heiress of the outlaws.