MovieChat Forums > Wives and Daughters (2002) Discussion > Anyone else fall in love with Osborn???

Anyone else fall in love with Osborn???

posted 17 years ago by Dreams_inthe_Mist
25 replies | jump to latest

Hi everyone! I have recently been watching Wives and Daughters and have found it to be one of the best movies I think I've ever seen! I just adore it and have already told so many people about it. I love Molly's character - she is such a great heroine.

My question is: Does anyone else wish Osborn was the true "hero"? I admit not likig him at first (when I thought he was a gambler and rake) but it didn't take me long to fall totally in love with Tom Hollander's version of Osborn!! He was so gentle and had such a loving nature, and the poor guy had a bad way to go throughout the movie, being treated unfairly by his father. He loved his wife and son, though, and I felt was just a wonderful hero. I can't sing his praises enough (not to mention how good-looking he was). But I have noticed that most of you seem to like Roger better. One of the real reasons I didn't care nearly as much for Roger was that he was blinded by Cynthia's beauty and didn't realize what a good catch Molly was. Osborn noticed at first and I think truly believed Molly was the real treasure of the two women. He even warned Roger against Cynthia at one point.

I usually don't go for the 'poet' of the piece, but in this I just adored Osborn and wished he had had a bigger part and had ended up somehow to be the hero or A hero of some sort. It makes me want to go out and watch anything Tom Hollander is in!

Does anyone else agree with me? Am I all alone on this?! :)

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Dreams_inthe_Mist 17 years ago

Give me a break!!
Osborn loved his wife dearly and his father was very narrow minded when it came to his marrying a French woman. He was a devoted husband in a bad situation, and let's not forget the fact that he was DYING...he wasn't exactly well enough to stand up to his father's wrath. He was between a rock and a hard place. But he was a good person and who cares how short he was?!!!

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Dreams_inthe_Mist 17 years ago

Well I see there is no point to keep on with this, as I am outnumbered here. Osborn didn't do well in college but that didn't mean he didn't try. And as for his wife...he fell in love with her and married her anyway. In any other circumstance with any other hero that you liked, that would seem 'romantic'. Molly didn't exactly have a huge dowry herself.

I didn't want to have to argue about this - I just came here hoping to find others who enjoyed "Wives and Daughters" as much as I did. I don't have anything against Roger, just like Osborn better.

To keep making fun of Tom Hollander's height is a waste of time.
Sorry I made this post in the first place.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Wot_larks 17 years ago

you poor thing, getting into such a wrangle! I didn't exactly fall in love with Osborn but I liked him better and better over time. I hadn't read the book and expected him to be a wastrel but he really wasn't; I think he fell in love at a very young age and thought that it would be okay to get married because he was going to get a position at Cambridge and could support a wife. When that didn't work out he got into trouble, but he didn't have a lot of choice. I thought he was very sweet with his mother and Molly, and as noted he saw Molly's and Cynthia's true characters right away and tried to warn his brother. So he ended up being a very sympathetic character. I've seen Tom Hollander in a lot of movies and he's a genius of an actor, and nice-looking. And apparently he has no ego about being short; the scene in "Pride & Prejudice" where Mr. Darcy looks right over him at first was his own suggestion.

and if someone is a dwarf if they're only 5'5", well, then I'm a dwarf.

[–] Dreams_inthe_Mist 17 years ago

Wot-larks -

Thank you so much!! Understand that not everyone has to agree with me, but I was surprised at the feedback I was getting! :( I would be a dwarf too - actually in real life Hollander would stand at about eye level with me, if not slightly taller. I'm short too and there is nothing wrong with that!! Good things come in small packages:)

I appreciated Roger in the end and thought his scenes with Molly were romantic and lovely ones. I didn't want Osborn to get together with Molly exactly, but would have liked him to have lived and gone on to raise his family. Or had him be the hero or secondary hero in some way. I thought he was very sweet and kind and he cared about people very much. And he was good-looking, in a poetic sort of way.

I just loved this series and have it on my list as one of my favorites!

[–] wendytech-1 17 years ago

I'm with you, Dreams in the Mist! I'm a big fan of Tom Hollander, and thought he never looked better than in Wives & Daughters. I thought he was sweeter to Molly, and a mature older brother--I also wanted him to get together with Molly, and thought she truly mourned him as a brother when he died.
I also lost a lot of respect for Roger when he turned to Cynthia--truly not his intellectual companion--and seemed to drop Molly like a hot potato. What a fool.
It took me a while to warm back up to him--perhaps like Molly--but there's a message in this book about forgiveness, and misjudgments (a bit like "Pride & Prejudice--first impressions can be misleading). He seemed truly repentent, and the ending was lovely, though I would have liked a kiss, for Pete's sake. Yes, it's the Victorian age, but people were not made of stone.
Off my soap. Hurray, Tom Hollander! I half expected Lizzie to fall for him in Pride & Prejudice--he was so funny--but that would have meant a very short film, wouldn't it?
--Wendy in Washington, D.C.

[–] Dreams_inthe_Mist 17 years ago

Have you seen the Pride and Prejudice skit on YouTube with Lizzie falling for Mr. Collins? It is so cute! I was surprised when Tom Hollander came on the scene in P&P supposed to be this dumpy little man. He was adorable - much too cute for Mr. Collins! So I wouldn't have blamed her....

You're right, he was the best-looking I've ever seen him in Wives and Daughters. I loved his character. Half-way through it I thought that Osborn's wife would die in childbirth and Molly would end up falling in love with him. That's what I would have liked.

I liked Roger by the end, but my respect was lost for him when he looked over Molly for Cynthia, just because she was a beauty. Osborn knew that Molly was the true treasure in the 2 sisters and I think if he hadn't been married, he would have taken her! An honest-to-goodness hero should see our heroine for who she truly is from the first and appreciate her.

Thanks:)

[–] nobodys_fool91 17 years ago

I found Tom Hollanders portrayal of Osbourne adorable and really unique. He looked fantastic and was such a well developed character. When he walked into the room at the beggining he lit up the room. But then slowly...slowly... as the burderns of his financial situation, the relationship with his father and his mothers death all fall on him, he just loses his brightness. He becomes so broken, like a baby bird. But the whole time he only wants what is best for everyone, he tries not to displease anyone or neglect anyone. He hides his illness for fear of his young family and tries desperately to reach out to his father, who understandably, didnt understand him.

I just love him! I completely agree with you! I dont think he and Molly would be a good couple though, Roger was the one for her.

Oh my God, that scene after his mother dies, where he is torturing himself thinking to tell his father about Aimee or not...where he is so ill and just sitting there "What am I going to do.."

The pain on his face has me in tears every time. Thank you for bringing up such a wonderful topic! I agree, as much as I LOVE Roger, Osbourne is such a fanstastic character!

[–] louisa-11 17 years ago

I loved Osbourne and Roger. They were a both lovely.
I couldn't choose between them I don't think!

Insolent piece of crockery!

[–] warren-1976 17 years ago

While I'm obviously more of a Molly fan... ;-)

I do think Osborne was a brilliant character. I think it's one of the best things about Gaskell as an author, and the production, with this type of character. He really isn't what we expect. He's actually a very sensitive, caring, and human character with flaws. He is perhaps a little too weak willed, a dreamer, but it all gives him more depth and personality. He's actually a very sympathetic character. I also always loved the relationship between Osborne and Roger. There wasn't any negativity or animosity as would usually be done in that setting (Good brother/bad brother). They were both the best of friends who would do anything to help the other.

[–] eelcats1286 17 years ago

I don't understand why Roger ever fell in love with Cynthia to begin with! Molly had been his friend and companion and she's just as beautiful as Cynthia but in a different way. Oh well, at least he finally came to his senses at the end of the series.

As for Osborne, I loved his character. I thought Tom Hollander was just brilliant in a role that very easily could have been mopey and boring. I was so sad at the end when I realized what he had been hiding and why he was always so tortured looking because at last I understood his behavior. And Tom made it so believable, you could totally see how he was in love with a woman that society and his father just could not and would not accept. And when he had his last little chat with Molly?.....heart breaking!

[–] The_Proprietor 17 years ago

by gduch2001
Tom Hollander is practicallya dwarf he's so short....

Ladies and gents, I think we've truly witnessed the descriptive prowess of truly dwarf like proportions

Well he's 5'5, whilst obviously short as I'm only 5'4 I wouldn't categorise him as a dwarf.

Although amusing if somewhat bemusing at the same time; where upon someone is tall it's mentioned in positive tones, in contrast if they're short they're almost put in a negative light.

There's a weird romanticism with height in men, even though they may be a complete twat or be lacking in certain areas. Just like being back in school lol.

If impersonating a Police Officer is an offence, shouldn't actors be imprisoned?

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] kitsilanoca-1 17 years ago

Personally I was attracted to Roger and found Osborn a bit shallow.

[–] cpg-2 17 years ago

Osborne wanted it both ways: Wanted to marry for love (as a first son he at least needed to have his father's input as he was inheriting everything his father and grandfather etc had built), but live on his father's money. He wanted to get an education on his father's dime and marry on the sly. In hiding his wife (and child!!!) he acted dishonorably to his wife. He takes money from his hard-working, second-son brother. Yes he is a sensitive soul. It looks like that might have been his profession. My young son was watching this with me and he asked, "Why doesn't he just get a job?" Indeed. Yes, his father would be angry. But his father could be reasoned with, especially when a child was involved. In "Emma," Mr Knightley says "There is one thing a man can always do: His duty."

Osborne did not like to admit that what is right is not always what is easy.

[–] CakesAndAle 16 years ago

I don't like a lot of the choices that Osborn made, but I think it's a little more complicated than the way you've described it.

He wanted to get an education on his father's dime and marry on the sly.

His education was already nearly complete by the time he married. I think, in the beginning, he thought his father would eventually come around. But as things became more difficult, Osborn found it more difficult to tell the truth so he ended up telling more lies. I disagree with these decisions, but I don't see him as a freeloader as you seem determined to do.

Yes he is a sensitive soul. It looks like that might have been his profession. My young son was watching this with me and he asked, "Why doesn't he just get a job?"

What kind of profession do you think Osborne was trained for? The only thing he really knew how to do was write poetry, and he did try to sell his work to get some money. Not to mention the fact that he was extremely ill with a fatal heart condition and obviously not up to performing physical labor.

But his father could be reasoned with, especially when a child was involved.

True, but this was also because Osborn was already dead. As much as I love the squire, he was indeed a difficult man. The only people who seem to have succeeded in reasoning with him were his wife and Molly Gibson.

[–] kel_andry 16 years ago

I thought Tom Hollander did a wonderful job in this role and after characters as Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice and Cutler Beckett in Pirates I was thrilled to come across this mini series and see him as handsome and sweet.

[–] CakesAndAle 16 years ago

Hollander has a really small role in the film Possession. He plays a sexy London lawyer who is only on screen for a couple of brief scenes. But a great role to see Hollander in.

[–] holycow92883 16 years ago

I don't understand why Roger ever fell in love with Cynthia to begin with! Molly had been his friend and companion and she's just as beautiful as Cynthia but in a different way. Oh well, at least he finally came to his senses at the end of the series.

Oh, I can see how this happened. He was blinded by her beauty. Molly was more like a sister to him at the time. He didn't discover and appreciate Molly until he realized the shallowness of Cynthia.

Unfortunately I see it quite often in men. They are dazzled by the beauty instead of looking inside at the heart.
It’s good to dream

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] christeline1 11 years ago

Poor Osbourne, I cried when he died, and cried even harder when his father mourned him.

I thought one of the most touching scenes involving Osbourne was when he kissed his wife's pregnant belly. It was so moving and showed how much he loved his wife and child. It was a travesty that he died.

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

[–] writerchick89 10 years ago

This is really the only thing I've cared much for Tom Hollander in, and yes, I loved Osborne but also felt like he was more like a brother and that Molly and Roger went together better. And Christeline1, I was the same in that scene. I was bawling! Poor Osborne and poor squire!

"Not all who wonder are lost."--J.R.R. Tolkien

[–] suzy8track 10 years ago

I just caught this on Netflix and I really thought Tom Hollander was wonderful in this! He was such a tragic character who only wanted to do right by his family. I can understand his reluctance to tell his "blowhard" father, whom he felt could never come to accept his choices in life. His death united his family in the end, which was all that he wanted. How can you not feel some sympathy and feeling for this character? On the other hand, I didn't care as much for Roger because he was so easily blinded by Cynthia's beauty, that he didn't or couldn't see that she did not share in his interests, nor love him back the way he thought he loved her.