TRUE PASSION IS TIMELESS : "MADAME BOVARY"

Say what you will. My theory is that deep down inside, we all like costume dramas. It’s just a matter of how cool you want to look. I know it’s not considered “in” to like costume dramas but still. The often luxurious settings, the romance, the passion, the emotion… I mean of course, it has to be a good adaptation say the BBC or some-such good quality production company, any old thing simply won’t do. But when it’s well done, I feel there is nothing better than soaking up the emotions and the atmos of a good old-fashioned costume drama. And come on. Clever quips and depth of meaning are important, but passion… Now that’s something we all need in our lives on a regular basis. And you can ask Emma Bovary if you don’t believe me.

A lot of young women in Emma’s place would be grateful for a man like Dr Charles Bovary crossing their path. She is an orphan and a convent girl with very little knowledge of the world or much in the way of prospects of rising a lot in society. Until, that is, Dr Bovary not only crosses her path but falls madly in love with her and proposes to her. The one thing Emma wants out of life is passion. She wants love, she wants excitement she wants, above all, the glow of the big city. As far as she is concerned this marriage will be the first step to all of this. She is proved sadly wrong. Dr Bovary is every inch the country doctor. And although he worships the very ground Emma treads on, passion and adventure are not at all high on his list of priorities. Sadly disappointed in her new life, Emma starts looking for adventure elsewhere. This much may not have been a problem if her search wasn’t accompanied by a steadily mounting debt at the hands of the wily and ruthless merchant Lheureux. As Emma digs herself deeper and deeper, both emotionally and economically, her chances of survival seem to get slimmer and slimmer. Unless, of course, sheer determination and strength of character can actually save her.

First of all, a touch of disambiguation as there is an absolute ton of Madame Bovary adaptations out there. I am talking about the BBC adaptation of the novel as a miniseries. It’s starring Frances O’Connor as Emma and Hugh Bonneville as Dr Bovary. It was nominated for both Golden Globes and BAFTAs. And it is a very worthy adaptation, both of the company and of the awards it was nominated for. The acting is absolutely top quality, the cinematography something quite impressive (director Tim Flywell has got quite a few very striking shots in the film) and the art direction, well… Just takes you right back to the 19^th century. I used to have the impression that Emma Bovary was a bit of an air-headed teenager (to be fair I hadn’t read the book) and I put the DVD on simply as an accompaniment to my dinner. I ended up going through and watching the whole 2,5 hours of it in one setting. The series does a brilliant job of exposing Emma’s true drama  - and Charles’s too. In short, it’s wonderful, full of passion – just as Emma would have wanted – and a perfect chance to indulge your inner romantic (go on, you know you have one)… Preferably watch with tissues. And chocolate.