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REBECCA .... Will I like this?

37 replies

SortCode · 24/07/2021 20:49

The one with Lily James in

OP posts:
Starjammer · 24/07/2021 20:50

I thought it was shite but I love the book. If you haven't read the book it might be enjoyable enough. But I was majorly disappointed in the total lack of the sense of menace that is such a part of the book.

WeAreTheHeroes · 24/07/2021 20:50

How can anyone tell you?! It's got that vile bloke in it. Find the old film with I think Laurence Olivier in as Max de Winter.

Bidmass · 24/07/2021 20:52

I love the Charles Dance one by ITV. Lily James is too glamorous for the role- the character is supposed to be dowdy!

AgnesNaismith · 24/07/2021 20:53

You need to read the book. Please do before you watch it!!!!

HeartIess · 24/07/2021 20:56

I’d you’ve read the book or are over 20 don’t bother

Buggerthebotox · 24/07/2021 20:59

I haven't watched it (helpful) Grin but from what I've heard, it's entertaining but nothing like the book (which has to be a modern classic). I've seen the film version and a later TV adaptation (with Charles Dance I think) and both were pretty well done (although perhaps not all that faithful to the book either) but my main gripe would be that somehow I can't see Lily James in the Mrs Dr Winter role.

Galassia · 24/07/2021 21:00

Far better than any modern nonsense -

AnneLovesGilbert · 24/07/2021 21:01

I thought it was okay. Never read the book (I will, promise!) but adore the Charles Dance one and found this a poor imitation. It’s pretty but it’s lacking substance and the casting is all wrong for me.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 24/07/2021 21:01

I liked it but the old one is best.

YourCakesAreShit · 24/07/2021 21:02

Depends. If you know the book, then no. Otherwise, maybe?

Lemonmelonsun · 24/07/2021 21:05

It's OK it starts well enough but falls totally flat back in England.

The one with Charles dance is good or the original.

Such a shame they fluffed it.

Sleepingdogs12 · 24/07/2021 21:11

I liked it more the second time I watched it , mostly for the scenery and fashion but it is a nice way to spend some time and I love the book.

LostArcher · 24/07/2021 21:18

Black and white version has the best Mrs Danvers.

Diverseopinions · 24/07/2021 21:27

I enjoy the novel, but I feel a film adaptation should have the character of Rebecca played by an actress. The novel is so much in the head of the narrator and seen through her gauche, charming attempts to live up to her predecessor, that I don't think you can make a film without bringing Rebecca to be flesh and blood because you can't have a film that it is all internal monologue. We need to see Rebecca's glamour and confidence.

You can make a bold film about Mrs Danvers' menace, and creating the atmosphere of the house and the boathouse, but just the acting of the other characters won't bring Rebecca to life.

I read the cast list and couldn't see an actress playing Rebecca, so assumed she isn't figured in flesh and blood.

I also think that Mrs Dr Winter's character is brought out by the contrast to Rebecca ( who would be better played by Lily James, in my view). The contrast is like crimson velvet and beige lambswool. With Lily James playing the second wife of Maxim, with a romantic feel throughout- no doubt, it will be like crimson velvet tamed by the producers down to pink nylon.

But, the novel and film will give us an excellent boy's name to choose. No more procrastinating over Felix or Kaspar to be original, go for Maxim.

TheSunShinesBrighter · 24/07/2021 21:28

I’ve read the book, watched the Alfred Hitchcock film ad they were both brilliant.

I loved this new version and have watched it a few times.
The scenery, set and costumes are especially good.

I liked the interpretation. It’s different but I don’t think that matters at all.

HelplessProcrastinator · 24/07/2021 21:38

I love the book but found this adaptation disappointing. It didn’t have the necessary menace and suspense. Lily James was too glamorous. Meh.

BillyRaywasapreachersson · 24/07/2021 21:48

Not seen it and much as I like LJ I already know it won't be as good as the original. The second Mrs de Winter was inexperienced and naive and hopeful and LJ is not those things.

SausagePourHomme · 24/07/2021 21:50

I won't watch it since it starts the revolting Armie Hammer. I suggest a Google.

senua · 24/07/2021 21:53

It’s pretty but it’s lacking substance
Are we talking about Lily James here?Grin
Sorry, couldn't help myself. She annoys me as she is such a rubbish actress although she seems to think that she is the cat's pyjamas.

Lemonmelonsun · 24/07/2021 21:53

Diverse 🌟🤩

Diverseopinions · 24/07/2021 21:54

I think 'Dead Man's Folly', by Agatha Christie, is also a good one to read because it had that sense of the house as a character, a grand character, that they all love in the county, and which needs a grand chatelaine to keep it and grace it.

There is that sense of the end of an era, the Edwardian period, as things were changing, and servants couldn't be afforded, and frequent house parties were something of the past.

The second Mrs Dr Winter is of the new age, gentry, but poor, never expected to know that sort of house, bound for the office, a gentlelady in reduced circumstances. 'Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again'; it's almost a person. It's that country house life the second Mrs De W can't fit into, more than the marriage, which is easier for her when they are abroad.

ChristmasShearwater · 24/07/2021 21:57

Oh I didn't know the Laurence Olivier version was on YouTube!

Thanks @Galassia - that's my Sunday afternoon sorted Smile

AnneLovesGilbert · 24/07/2021 21:58

@senua

It’s pretty but it’s lacking substance Are we talking about Lily James here?Grin Sorry, couldn't help myself. She annoys me as she is such a rubbish actress although she seems to think that she is the cat's pyjamas.
Grin

Haven’t seen much else with her in but I watched the Darkest Hour last week and she was alright in that.

Billybagpuss · 24/07/2021 22:03

It’s crap, but if it’s your first introduction to the story you’ll probably like it. I recommend:
Read the book
Watch the original black and white film
Then watch the Diana Rigg version
Watch the most lily james version so you can bitch about how crap it is.

SeigneurLapindeGrantham · 24/07/2021 22:04

It was dreadful and felt rushed. Hitchcock version is unsurpassed.

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