Back On Track

After a bit of a hiatus from our viewing of the BBC Little Dorrit we’re back with Amy in Venice and Arthur in London, having just watched a couple of episodes back-to-back. It took great will-power not to keep going and watch the last two episodes as well given the hypnotic power of the tale, but we saw sense

Noi is completely wrapped up in William Dorrit, both as an irritating fool and a pathetically tragic figure. Undoubtedly Dickens’s most nuanced view of his own father, and Tom Courtenay does extraordinary justice to the part. The little scene between John Chivery and the old man was brilliantly touching – warm yet bleak at the same time. It’s really in the small bits and pieces of detail that this adaptation shines – though it excels in the big scenes also.

The last few episodes have caught the coldness of wealth in a wonderful manner. You long for Amy to return to where she belongs as much as she herself does.

Incidentally I’ve never understood those approaches to literature that don’t let you feel for the characters. I’m pretty sure Dickens wouldn’t have understood them either, so I’m in the best company there.