The Pursuit of Love

[NurseButtercup]

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.

Selina Hastings biography of Nancy is excellent

Letters Between Six Sisters is a fascinating read. The funny nicknames they called each other, and the incredible number of letters they wrote to each other.

Didn't enjoy the first episode, found it surprisingly boring. But I am enjoying the Mitford girls chat. I was amazed to discover a few years ago that Decca's son was living in my home city - Edinburgh - and at one point lived in a tent with a piano on Portobello beach - clearly the family eccentricity lived on.

There is confusion on this thread. Take what you read with a pinch of salt. Also bear in mind that we are discussing people born over 100 years ago, and that society has changed a lot since then.

I will not be watching the BBC1 adaptation.

I switched off the first episode, and won’t be watching EmLily & Co anymore, but have really enjoyed the chat on this thread.
It’s worth exploring the Heywood Hill website for more Mitford background (I was lucky enough to work near the bookshop for a few years), and this would make a lovely present!
www.heywoodhill.com/news/the-pursuit-of-literary-delights

I didn’t think Lord Merlin was miscast. If you look up Lord Berners who Lord Merlin was based on he’s the right physical type. I just thought he overacted, as he sometimes does. He’s perfectly capable of a more measured performance though so since Emily Mortimer also overacted I will assume it was at least partly down to her!
The line about masturbation was wrong in all kinds of ways. Just because Nancy Mitford said it elsewhere doesn’t mean that character would have used it, at that age, in that context.
Really enjoying the discussion on this thread.

@Jenthefredo

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.

Yes she is a bit

The line about masturbation was wrong in all kinds of ways. Just because Nancy Mitford said it elsewhere doesn’t mean that character would have used it, at that age, in that context.

Totally agree. I've started to watch the BBC's 1980 Love in a Cold Climate. There are some very funny scenes with Linda and Fanny wondering about 'It' (sex), but clearly having no idea what "It' is.

I think having grown up in the country they'd have had an idea about sex.

I think they understood about copulation, what they were intrigued by was how it all connected to romance and falling in love.

There was a line about giving birth being like a hen laying an egg as I recall

It’s hard because I know the writer. I really wanted to like it, I was expecting to like it. But so many good lines lost in frenetic scattergun scenes. And poor casting. Lily James really can’t act.

All very self-consciously eccentric.

@TatianaBis I think the writer was out of her depth.

I watched the first part of the earlier series with Rosamund Pike.

I think the writers of the current series have watched it too .

Jassy wasplayed by Dominic West's daughter-her Mum's an Astor!

I think they understood about copulation, what they were intrigued by was how it all connected to romance and falling in love.

Yes, though they were very confused about what Oscar Wilde could have been up to!

I don’t think she was out of her depth as she’s written a hit comedy series in the US with the actress who played Aunt Sadie. I think she was just trying too hard to be funky and current.

Martha West’s (Jassy) mum is one of the writer’s oldest friends.

It was all a bit too much of a luvvie fest.

@GrownUpBeans

I think they understood about copulation, what they were intrigued by was how it all connected to romance and falling in love.

Yes, though they were very confused about what Oscar Wilde could have been up to!

That bit always stuck in my mind. The little brother went off to Eton and he soon stopped asking about what crime Oscar Wilde was jailed for!

2001 love in a cold climate was only given an average of 6.5 out of 10 and lots of negative reviews on IMDB.
Like with most things people always seem to prefer the eldest version.
I think for me I just think the story is not very intriguing or thrilling.
So I dont care that it's just average in 2021.
Howard's End few years ago was okay but people slated that.
Boring same old story maybe.

I’m a bit taken aback by the way they are so open about the nepotism as if we are expected to be totally ok with it. I have some sympathy if it helped with the logistics of filming with children in covid times, but that ought to be a very exceptional circumstance. The BBC has no business contributing to the problem of acting becoming increasingly dominated by the wealthy and well connected.

It's a known fact that Directors and writers cast people that are friends they have often worked with before and relatives that are in the industry or friends of friends that they look up to talent wise.
Bit annoying for us viewers always seeing the same faces. But there we go.

Maybe they dont like to cast people in the lead / smaller roles that they have never worked with before in case they dont like them?
Bit lazy maybe. Playing it safe.

Lily James really can’t act.

What?! She’s brilliant!

All right, Lil?