MovieChat Forums > Desperate Romantics (2009) Discussion > Romantic and dripping with sex.

Romantic and dripping with sex.

posted 15 years ago by sparkey-5
14 replies | jump to latest

The snobs, prudes and "art experts" are going to hate Desperate Romantics.
Do not let this deter you from watching what looks like being
the surprise hit series of 2009. Unashamedly pop art, camp and funny.

As unlikely as it might seem, Desperate Romantics will also bring
the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood to an audience, including me,
that know little of the central characters let alone seen the paintings.
Judging from the first episode, the writing, acting, production and
direction have a cohesive style, that could not be bettered.
And the suppressed and explicit sex won't do it any harm either.

It may not be art, but I know what I like.

[–] Shellb08 15 years ago

Absolutely, my friend that specialises in that area seemed to dismiss it straight off as I knew she would. Although I realise it's historically inaccurate, it's terrific entertainment, and it has indeed introduced me to the pre-raphaelites and the basics of what they were trying to do, without having to sit through a, quite fankly, boring art programme.

[–] janey187 15 years ago

I must say that this series is growing on me. I didn't care for the first episode but I enjoyed the second and am looking forward to the next one!

I have revised my initial opinion.

Sophisticated? I've been to Leeds.

[–] sparkey-5 15 years ago

This series just gets better and better.
Episode 3 was superb.
We see the deviousness of Ruskin and Rossetti laid bare.
And Effi and Johnnyboy just laid bare.
Funny, touching and sexy. Loved it.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] janey187 15 years ago

I wish they'd found someone a bit more attractive to play Millais. He's just a pale-faced over-grown boy. Couldn't they have found someone with sex appeal?

Sophisticated? I've been to Leeds.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] sparkey-5 15 years ago

Yes. The character is a great talent but in this interpretation he is
supposed to be young, innocent and naive.
The three leads are nicely contrasted.

I was expecting Ruskin to be gay, so it was good to see the writer
avoiding this cliche.
And the fact that only the prostitute was wise enough to recognise Ruskins
real motive added to the fun.
I enjoyed the reactions to the story making the front page and
"moving The Crimea War to page 3".
I don't care if it's true or not, it was believable and funny.
Read the opening disclaimer to each episode.

[–] Devon_Rex 15 years ago

I was expecting Ruskin to be gay, so it was good to see the writer
avoiding this cliche.

Why would they need to do that? Ruskin's life has more than enough excitement in it as it is. It will be interesting to see how they handle him 'falling in love' with the 11 year old Rose La Touché

[–] jennynash45 15 years ago

The more I watch of Desperate Romantics, the more I enjoy it. I find it's best viewed alone so you're not having to continually worry about whether the other people in the room find the sex scenes embarrassing - but, personally, I find the contrast between the art and the 'romance' brilliant. Even though it's vulgar and daring so barely past the watershed as it is, surprizingly I find this programme a breath of fresh air in comparison to the stuffy, proper dramas usually funded by the BBC.

I know a little about the artists, and I know of all but one of the paintings featured thus far, but ultimately I know nothing about art. I can't help thinking that this show will struggle to hold an audience, though. For the life of me I can't figure out what it's intended audience is; the art lovers would be put off by the rudeness, and most of those entertained by the manner would be put off by the historical figures and art-dropping.

Not exactly sure why I'm saying all of this. No-one I know of is watching this series, so thank goodness for the internet whereby we can express these pointless opinions.

EDIT: (And Amy Manson is so beautifully etheral in this, isn't she? Wow.)

---------------------
Heaven for climate; Hell for company.

[–] Devon_Rex 15 years ago

art lovers would be put off by the rudeness,

Not all art lovers are like Ruskin. Some are quite frisky!!

Evidently though it's aimed at people like you and me who enjoy watching a great story divertingly presented and who aren't overly prudish.

[–] ContinentalOp 15 years ago

Art snob? Maybe. Prude? Not really. I liked the series (though I wish they showed the paintings more) which is unexpected. I just think the writing and the characterization to be great. I think it was a far better show than the usual tripe that is present on the BBC.

"Namu-myoho-renge-kyo"

[–] rebkad 15 years ago

Definitely a different takes on art biopics anyway. I agree it does expose the flaws of previous art biopics, like The Impressionists which was on a few years ago.

[–] Sephra-1 15 years ago

I am loving the Desperate Romantics... And I Really like Aidan Turner ( also liked him as Mitchell in 'Being Human' )as Naughty Boy Rossetti..But have to say I have known of Rossetti's sister ( Christina ) longer due to her poem the Goblin Market. So through Desperate Romantics I have researched and looked for his work and have enjoyed doing so.

TO THE PRUDES..As adults and in life we can swear,have sex , plus do various other activties depending on our own moral codes...Also in life we witness life & death, see terrible things on the news etc, yet you don't wan't us to watch mild forms of it in a TV drama, So we can do it all, just as long as we don't watch it eh?...Well as an Adult I'd like to choose for myself what I want to watch thank you. Besides, it's not real, they are pretending, it's called ACTING! So, go loosen your whale bones and let us watch in peace!

Don't give me attitude,I have my own! lol

[–] 15 years ago

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