Daniel Deronda TV MiniSeries 2002

It is across the roulette table that Gwendolen Harleth first locks eyes with the enigmatic Daniel Deronda. Gwendolen is beautiful vivacious and a gambler but desperate for financial security something that possessive Henleigh Grandcourt would be able to provide for her. Daniel is the adopted son of an aristocratic but doubtful of his own identity. He pours his energy into selflessly helping his friends including poor Jewish singer Mirah Lapidoth. As Gwendolens situation becomes dire and Daniel seeks to uncover the mystery surrounding his own birth their lives become intertwined...

Review

This was one of the more exquisite costume drama adaptations I have seen with attention to detail absolutely striking in an archery scene that sets the bar for the entire series. Like the novel it is polarizing in its two stories in one people seem to either lovehate Daniels plight or lovehate Gwendolyns.

Personally I found Gwendolyn equally annoying in both novel and film. Hugh Darcy as the eponymous hero was pretty to look at and delivers a fine if unremarkable performance.

But it is Hugh Bonneville as the dastardly Henleigh Grandcourt who took my breath away! He is flawlessly reprehensible stealing every scene he was in and when he wasnt in a scene I couldnt wait to see him again! It was terrific seeing Hugh Bonneville in such a role as hes usually cast in the "very nice guy" roles (Bridget Jones Diary Iris Tipping the Velvet etc). Although hes fine in such roles as Grandcourt he made my skin crawl with his morally bankrupt wealthy and pugnacious swagger. LOVED him!

What this series could have used more of was Jodhi May and Greta Scacchi. In difficult supporting roles both women shine as respectively a searching haunted Jewess and a scorned bitter mistress. Barbara Hershey makes an appearance late in the series in a pivotal plot device that I wont reveal lest some unsuspecting viewer be bitter with me and in a limited role gives a performance that reminds us why she became famous in the first place (and at least for this viewer made me forgive her Beaches).

Overall this adaptation is very enjoyable and recommended viewing for fans of the genre.