MovieChat Forums > Parade's End (2013) Discussion > So beautiful!

So beautiful!

posted 10 years ago by lulia
3 replies | jump to latest

I've just started watching this, and I love it!

First, the setting and scenery is gorgeous, without it being too obviously "prop porn" (lingering on a teacup or the wallpaper).

Second, I'm a sucker, a sucker I say, for a forbidden love story. All that longing, that heartbreak, oh my!

Although I am a (somewhat reluctant) fan of The Batch, I don't think he looks his best in that, what with that stiff upper lip he's struggling with throughout. But any Batch is good Batch. And I just wish I looked like Rebecca Hall.

I know that some posters here disliked the slow pace and lack of action, but I like it that way.

[–] maggie49 10 years ago

I have watched this numerous times, Julia, and I love it. It was this mini-series that first made me a fan of Benedict and it was his mouth, funnily enough, that was the deciding factor. I just found it fascinating and compelling to look at.

I agree that the settings, the props and the cinematography were beautiful along with the music.

I thought the treatment of the war was excellent and Benedict excelled as the wearied, responsible and caring officer. Not really a spoiler but if you haven't got to this part yet I may as well put it in spoiler tags.

I like a slow pace, great character development and time to get to know the characters without needless and frenzied action.

Actually I simply fell in love with Christopher.

[–] lulia 10 years ago

We have the same tastes, I guess! :D

I just don't get how Christopher is suddenly an outcast in episode 3, though? He's always been known as an upright, honorable and rather dull man, and suddenly, everybody seems to believe all the stupid gossip about him: "sharing" Mrs Duchemin with MacMaster, bedding, and impregnating Miss Wannop, writing bad checks, why not having puppies for breakfast while they're at it? WTF? I understand it's probably Sylvia's behind-the-scene scheming, but it's a bit much, isn't it?

Even the former Mrs Duchemin thinks her loyal friend Wannop has had a child, and kicks her out of her car! Geez!

[–] TheDuchessofM 10 years ago

They believed the gossip because Christopher wasn't the frivolous, party-going, riding and hunting gentleman typical of their social circle. They couldn't believe a man was that "good," and in a way, they felt judged by his upright, moralistic, quiet life. Hearing that Christopher was utterly depraved made them feel better about themselves in an "I knew he was just like us" sort of way.

As for Edith, she is a snob. Being restored to respectability as Vincent's wife--and being elevated in upper class society--made her want to shed anything of her past, which included Valentine, who knew she had an affair with Vincent while her husband was still alive, had gotten pregnant, and then had an abortion. Edith knows Christopher is the one with the brains, not Vincent, and Valentine blurting out that Vincent is only rising in the world because Christopher lets him take the credit for his brilliance was galling. Plus, she was already on edge about Vincent owing Christopher all of that money (she too couldn't believe Christopher was that selfless of a person, he would just give his friend pots of money without any strings and a desire to be paid back).