Reviews

I totally enjoyed this movie because it was terrible! The producers surely didn't mean for it to be a satire, but that's how it should be viewed. I must explain. I am a romance-addict. It all started when I was forced to read "Pride and Prejudice" in 9th grade English Lit. That was it. I was hooked and having devoured Austin, I moved on to her much less talented imitators, such as the author of this story, Barbara Cartland. This movie is a classic Regency plot. It has everything: a plucky Young Heroine, a gorgeous Rake with a Dark Secret, a Scheming Mama (who is also the Affronted Dowager), a Dissipated Lord who Loses Everything in a Foolish Wager, an Abduction, a Forced Marriage and even a Highwayman with a Heart of Gold. What a riot! The cast is great- Diana Rigg chews the scenery as she pacing menacingly in her be-feathered turbans. Helena Bonham Carter does the pouting consternation thing she at which she excelled in her Corset Days. The Hero is dressed with sartorial elegance in Biscuit-Colored Inexpressibles and Gleaming Hessians (his valet must have used champagne in the blacking!) The best-worst thing about the film is the score- the music is SO over-the-top! It really pushes the film from moderately bad to hilariously awful! I loved every minute of it! If you're a fan of costume romance and melodrama, watch this one for a good laugh at yourself!