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The Pursuit of Love

441 replies

NurseButtercup · 01/05/2021 11:54

Oh the absolute irony of the words of the character played by Dominic West in this trailer!! Wasn't he start shagging Lily James when he was filming this TV series???

This will be on BBC from 9th May - looks good.

OP posts:
CaptainMyCaptain · 11/05/2021 08:08

@Zzelda

Debo was never remotely even right wing.

I think it's pretty clear that she was. I know she joined the Social Democrats, but that was essentially because her husband did. Her attitudes as demonstrated both in her correspondence and her books are very clearly right wing, and she had a lot in common with Diana. I quote above her comment that Decca's flat smelt because a black person lived in the one underneath, and that was quite symptomatic of her attitudes.

On the other hand, Jessica was upset when her daughter took up with a black man (they didn't marry) whereas her family's attitude was 'Well what do you expect?' and he was invited to Chstsworth.
PandoraP · 11/05/2021 08:13

Will not be watching this again and I am surprised by the rave reviews I have seen in the papers. Also think Lily James is in everything and not that great an actress and too old for the role.

Andante57 · 11/05/2021 08:21

I think it's pretty clear that she was. I know she joined the Social Democrats, but that was essentially because her husband did

Her husband joined the Social Democrats but Debo never did.
Also Decca used the ‘N’ word in one of her letters.

diddl · 11/05/2021 08:23

As much as I thought that the trailer looked crap I did get sucked into watching it & didn't find it as bad as I thought.

I know the story though so was only half watching!

Iamthewombat · 11/05/2021 10:36

I quite liked it. It has its faults. The 2001 BBC adaptation wipes the floor with it, but it is fun.

I was pleased to note that Fanny married Clem Fandango!

The only character that is terribly miscast is Emily Mortimer herself, as The Bolter. Could she be any more hammy?

I am a bit uncomfortable with, “Hello BBC, as a beneficiary of nepotism myself through my father, Johnnie Mortimer, I’d like you to bankroll a period drama, nicking ideas from other film makers, starring ME and all my friends and family. Ciao!”

NickyHeath · 11/05/2021 11:25

@Zzelda I love the fact that ‘the Donk’ had a long term relationship & two kids with a Black Panther. One of them is a lawyer & academic now, & it really tickled me when I realised the connection.

FaceyRomford · 11/05/2021 12:06

I gave up after 25 minutes of this. A total travesty of a much loved book. What was the BBC thinking of?????

Supersimkin2 · 11/05/2021 12:16

The introduction of the parenting theme is crass in the show, not least cos its way more interesting IRL Mitford.

Nancy - couldn't have any after an ectopic, sad for life.

Diana - two sets of DC, both removed by law. She pushed to be put into gaol 10 days after giving birth, knowing she'd lose the latest baby. Authorities pushed back, wanting to keep them together. Diana won and the baby and his Dbro were removed to foster care.

Pam - fostered some of Diana's children briefly and badly. No kids from 4 marriages, then lesbian.

Decca - first DC died of measles; second DC run over outside their house aged 8; 3rd DC died by suicide when living with them. The Donk, and I think another son, survived.

Debo - poor woman had at least 7 children, all died at birth bar 2.

Unity - failed to shag Hitler as planned, died with brain damage, no DC.

Nancy Mitford loathed her DM, who she cast in the books as vague Aunt Sadie, the hilariously vacant mother. Decca didn't like her either.

Lady R fought back with vigour at 'this awful insane portrait' - when the DD were grown, she spent forever visiting Diana at the abortion clinic and then gave up her life to look after Unity.

But you can't help feeling Nancy may have had a point in there somewhere.

NickyHeath · 11/05/2021 12:29

@Supersimkin2 Jessica didn’t have a child who died by suicide. She had two children who died in childhood, two children survived to adulthood (& are still alive).

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 11/05/2021 12:35

Supersimkin what is your source re Pamela’s marriages? I only knew of her marriage to Derek Jackson and he was definitely not killed by the Fascists as my dad knew him (worked in a related area of physics) in the 60s.

One of Jessica’s sons definitely outlived her because he was tuning pianos in Edinburgh a few years ago.

Supersimkin2 · 11/05/2021 12:45

Aiee - Derek Jackson's twin brother was killed, not him. Sorry. Derek lived till 1982.

Aieee 2 - Pam's marriages - Wikipedia leaves most of the LTRs/weddings out and I can't find the right book to look her up.

Nothing MNetters like more than truffle hunting for other people's errors - keep em coming galz.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 11/05/2021 12:49

It’s not truffle hunting Hmm

If something leaps out from a post which contradicts what I believe to be the case I want to know whether I am wrong or not.

Clawdy · 11/05/2021 12:53

Diana's letters to Pamela, who was looking after her two youngest sons, are full of pleas about information on them, "please put everything about the babies, no detail is too insignificant, I so long to hear all about them...." I don't think she was the unfeeling mother she's made out to be in one of the posts above.

Andante57 · 11/05/2021 13:12

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel

It’s not truffle hunting Hmm

If something leaps out from a post which contradicts what I believe to be the case I want to know whether I am wrong or not.

Quite right. Debo had 6 children, 3 survived. Pam was only married once - her husband Derek Jackson married 6 times (I think) and one ‘wife’ changed her name by deed poll.
KittyKatChonky · 11/05/2021 13:21

Gosh, all these ghastly people with their elbows on the table. Grin

There was too much sex, not enough humour. None of the actors in this have any comedic timing.

FromHereToModernity · 11/05/2021 14:01

Lady R fought back with vigour at 'this awful insane portrait' - when the DD were grown, she spent forever visiting Diana at the abortion clinic

Really.

Supersimkin2 · 11/05/2021 14:44

Yikes - my memory is shit at the mo - nothing like a bit of spontaneous subbing to remind one. Here's Ben T and the Donk talking about Jessica's parenting, which you're also welcome to fact check, but write to them not me

www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Great-writer-But-as-a-mother-Jessica-Mitford-s-2484696.php

felinelucky · 11/05/2021 17:41

I've tried, really I have, but I hate Lily James and her stupid duck mouth.

KittyKatChonky · 11/05/2021 17:42

forever visiting Diana at the abortion clinic

What? Hmm

Serpenta · 11/05/2021 17:44

I think Lily James should take some time out. Sometimes actors get over-exposed and you just take against them for always popping up on your screen.

felinelucky · 11/05/2021 17:48

(I'm watching ep 3 as we speak) Mind you, if we have to suffer through Lily James, at least they've given us Hot Priest AND Hicham Janowski. Glad to see him again!

Jenthefredo · 11/05/2021 17:49

I've read most of Nancy Mitford writings including her biographies of famous kings.
....I recommend the sun King.
I've also read a lot about her family. Utterly fascinating, if ultimately tragic.
I enjoyed the production - some of the casting was a bit off (I agree with pp about lily James...why is she in EVERYTHING?...she is the new keira knightly!!)
I liked the music and fun but kroesig and Merlin were miscast.
Its not as good as the 2001 version (HOW can that be 20 years ago!!??) But I thought it was entertaining.
The pursuit of Love was semi autobiographical and its very sad as Nancy didn't get her happy ending either.

Jenthefredo · 11/05/2021 17:51

The only thing I didn't like about the 2001 version was Rosamund Pike.
Bland.

Maireas · 11/05/2021 17:57

I recommend "The House of Mitford" by Jonathan Guinness. There's some confusion of facts on this thread, if you're interested in the Mitfords, it's a good read.

Maireas · 11/05/2021 18:00

I should add that Jonathan Guinness is the son of Diana Mitford .