Monday, March 14, 2016

Dr Thorne adaptation

I was going to wait until the end of the current itv series before commenting but after last nights episode I'm so disappointed there seems no point.

There are so many things wrong with this adaptation, the first being that trying to squeeze it into 3 episodes is a nonsense. The thing I love about Trollope, and assume others love about him too, is that he takes his time telling a story. The plot may hinge on something fairly slight (in this case, will a young couple get together despite some obstacles, or not...) but he really explores those obstacles with the result that we get proper 3 dimensional characters.

Two thirds of the way through this adaptation and I don't feel that at all, Mary's had her life turned upside down a number of times already, but have we been given time to consider how she might feel - no we have not. Has she been given screen time to show us how she might feel about falling in love, discovering her origins aren't entirely respectable, being barred from the company of her oldest friends, realising her uncle hasn't been entirely honest with her - any of it? No, no she has not.

Miss Dunstable should be a much plainer woman, and she really needs to look like she's to old for Frank. Alison Brie, and this is no reflection on her acting, has presumably been chosen to sell this to the U.S market. Frank would be lucky to get this Miss Dunstable, with or without a fortune, it's not convincing that people really would only be after her for her money and it removes layers of nuance from the part.

The connection between the Gresham family and Greshambury has also gone, it's not just about the house and a comfortable way of life, it's hundreds of years of connection between the Gresham's and their tennents. If Frank follows his heart what happens to all the people he's considered responsible for? And what sort of a man is he if he turns his back on those responsibilities - would that man make a good husband for Mary, and how would she feel as his wife if there are always whispers about them? Judging from the series so far we'll never know. Which brings me to Frank's sisters. His marriage will affect their prospects in an age where marriage is basically the only career option open to most girls. It would certainly be all these girls were trained for, but there isn't really any sense of that either.

It's frustrating because the cast is excellent, and clearly doing what they can - it's just such a shame that it's turned out to be such a poor adaptation.

14 comments:

  1. We haven't had it here in the US yet, Hayley, or at least not in my area, but I'll keep an eye out for it, though not in anticipation. I saw the cast list, which seemed pretty impressive, but now that I know it's ONLY three episodes, I'm dismayed. You're exactly right about Trollope's appeal being the slow unwinding of his story. Three episodes is not enough time to deliver the delightful and wonderful story in Doctor Thorne, one of my favorite Trollopes.

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    1. It's very pretty to look at, so worth a watch on that score, but so far has been a disappointing adaptation. It has made me want to read Trollope again though, so at least that's a win!

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  2. I didn't expect much of this adaptation, particularly after I heard Miss Dunstable was being made into an American. It seemed so unnecessary - I still can't figure out why, unless it was to attract an American audience? or to add a layer of complication to a story - which is, as you mention, quite complicated enough!

    I keep seeing these tweets from Oxford Classics offering me a chance to win a tie-in version of the book, and that's the last thing I want! Though I hope this series might at least inspire some people to read the book (always my hope with adaptations).

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    1. I had high hopes, and still think the biggest problem is that it's to short. As Downton dragged on for so long and people kept on watching I don't see why this adaptation couldn't have a few more episodes. The cast is generally excellent which makes it all the more frustrating.

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  3. I couldn't agree more. I was going to write something like this after episode 1 but thought I'd give it a chance -- however I can't argue with anything you say here. Especially upset about Miss Dunstable, one of my favourite characters -- this made me really cross. Obviously they were just after something to appease the bereft Downton fans, but oh dear oh dear, what a shame.

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    1. It is a shame. I love Miss Dunstable too, and feel we deserve her as Trollope wrote her!

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  4. Though I have yet to read this particular Trollope it has felt utterly wrong to me from the start, and I can understand every word you've written. But at least it made me realise I hadn't read Trollope for a while and pick up The Warden.

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    1. Much the same here, I have a couple of Palliser novels left and really out to read them, so I'm grateful for the push.

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  5. I haven't seen it yet, but caught a glimpse the other night, and was most puzzled by the stray American! What a shame that it's a poor adaptation, when Trollope adapted properly can be wonderful (Barchester Chronicles and The Pallisers).

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    1. I haven't seen the older adaptations but have heard they're great so may track down the Barchester one. This Dr Thorne seems like a missed opportunity- but maybe the final episode will be amazing!

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  6. Sooo disappointed in this. Here is my take on it and others

    http://randomjottings.typepad.com/random_jottings_of_an_ope/2016/03/dr-thorne-aka-dr-downton.html

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    1. Such a missed opportunity, but it's made me think about seeking out some of the old adaptations so there's that I guess.

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  7. Sad, but not surprised it is a disappointment. Based on comments I have seen on social media and now here, I think there is a misconception of what will appeal to the American audience. As an example Julian Fellowes was a hack and Downton was awful before they began to supposedly cater to the US market. I think there is a smallish market for this kind of drama in both the UK and the US. That market was quite satisfied by older British dramas like the original Upstairs Downstairs, the old Pallisers, Brideshead, various Dickens, and Austen, the 1980s Mapp and Lucia, etc. Rather than nationality, I would say it has more to do with producers in the UK and distributors in the US trying to cash in on markets that don't give a crap about decent writing. Another case in point is Call the Midwife. It might be kind of fun to watch, but the quality of the writing is not very good. But it appeals to a broader audience than I, Claudius. So let's not blame America for this. (Of course I've met you Hayley and like you, so I'm not annoyed with you--just offering an alternate point of view.

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  8. I blame ITV, Julian Fellows, and whoever else had any hand in making a mess of something that could have been decent TV. I'm assuming an (excellent) American actress was included to cash in on just the market you mention (I still think it's a shame they didn't go with a plain woman and let her have fun with the part, but that's the least of the problems with this production). I'm also assuming that an American audience will react in the same way the British one has - for why wouldn't they? It's period drama by numbers and lacking in soul.

    I'm relieved that you're not really annoyed with me, especially when I agree with your point of view. It hasn't helped that Dr Thorne went up against a really good adaptation of The Night Manager showing exactly what getting the pace right can do.

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