To me, 2005's 'Bleak House' is one of the finest adaptations of Charles Dickens around. And there have been a lot of brilliant ones on film and television. It does wonders adapting one of Dickens' longest and most difficult to adapt books (and Dickens on the whole is not easy to adapt, even his most accessible 'A Christmas Carol' is not as easy to adapt as it appears), with its complex character and intricate plotting, and is brilliant on its own merits as well.
'Bleak House's' fourteenth and penultimate instalment doesn't disappoint. It's every bit as great as the previous thirteen (and the quality is pretty much consistent throughout the entire adaptation) episodes. Following on from the tense events of the previous couple of episodes, it is here where the truths start being revealed and where things start properly closing in. Episode 14 does this incredibly well and does it without being too jumpy and hasty, amazing considering there is a lot going on and within a short running time.
Episode 14 is very polished visually and a lot of care and thought clearly went into the production values. It continues to be beautifully shot and the handsome period detail is also evocative. The Victorian era look and atmosphere are nailed, as unforgiving as much as they are handsome being much more than just sumptuous costumes and interiors, one can truly tell that the living conditions back then were dangerous. The music doesn't overbear or feel over-used.
Writing is literate and thoughtfully and coherently adapted, without being too wordy. Considering that it is a talk-heavy book that is quite a feat. It manages to make what goes on, which is a lot, engaging and accessible without rushing. Lots of intrigue and tension, where we learn the truth with certain characters and their motives. Namely seeing Guppy in a different light and hating Smallweed and Skimpole more than we already do, though the biggest revelation is with Lady Dedlock and it still has the "left me floored" feel when reading the book for the first time.
All the acting is terrific. Phil Davis is suitably repellent as Smallweed and Burn Gorman portrays the more serious and not that bad side here to Guppy with conviction. Gillian Anderson does haunted very movingly
Overall, brilliant. 10/10
'Bleak House's' fourteenth and penultimate instalment doesn't disappoint. It's every bit as great as the previous thirteen (and the quality is pretty much consistent throughout the entire adaptation) episodes. Following on from the tense events of the previous couple of episodes, it is here where the truths start being revealed and where things start properly closing in. Episode 14 does this incredibly well and does it without being too jumpy and hasty, amazing considering there is a lot going on and within a short running time.
Episode 14 is very polished visually and a lot of care and thought clearly went into the production values. It continues to be beautifully shot and the handsome period detail is also evocative. The Victorian era look and atmosphere are nailed, as unforgiving as much as they are handsome being much more than just sumptuous costumes and interiors, one can truly tell that the living conditions back then were dangerous. The music doesn't overbear or feel over-used.
Writing is literate and thoughtfully and coherently adapted, without being too wordy. Considering that it is a talk-heavy book that is quite a feat. It manages to make what goes on, which is a lot, engaging and accessible without rushing. Lots of intrigue and tension, where we learn the truth with certain characters and their motives. Namely seeing Guppy in a different light and hating Smallweed and Skimpole more than we already do, though the biggest revelation is with Lady Dedlock and it still has the "left me floored" feel when reading the book for the first time.
All the acting is terrific. Phil Davis is suitably repellent as Smallweed and Burn Gorman portrays the more serious and not that bad side here to Guppy with conviction. Gillian Anderson does haunted very movingly
Overall, brilliant. 10/10