posted
Just wondering if anyone watched the BBC miniseries "Tipping the Velvet". It's based on a novel by Sarah Waters and it's about two lesbians living in Victorian England. I really enjoyed it, but all the opinions I seem to get seem to be extremes: "I loved it" or "I hated it". I'm guessing some people see it as contraversial if the responses are that passionate, but I want to know what everyone else thinks. Is it possible to be mediochre about Tipping the Velvet?
Winnie :0)
Posts: 465 | From: Canberra, ACT, Australia | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
Omg, I literally just finished watching this five minutes ago-- a friend had taped it off of BBC America for me. I really liked it-- I wouldn't consider it my favorite movie necessarily, but I liked how it dealt with some really serious, sad issues yet had a happy ending that kept me on the edge of my seat (I'll admit I generally am a big fan of happy endings, no matter how trite!) I really wanted to see how Nan's family was going to react when she brought her final partner/girlfriend/wife? home.
Anyhow, Tipping the Velvet was a refreshing alternative to so much on TV these days! It reminded me a lot of a fav movie, Velvet Goldmine, both for the drama and nods towards Victorian theater-themes (and different interpretations of gender and sexual orientation.) Of course, since we're on the topic, you gotta love But I'm a Cheerleader!
This may just be me (being jaded), but gay-themed love stories seem to be fresher and more sincere than a lot of romances in blockbusters today-- maybe due to more equal partnerships, genuine-seeming earning, or just their rariety among popular films?
Thanks for letting me share my review!
------------------ "Tear up the cloak of indifference that you have wrapped around your hearts! Make up your minds before it is too late!" ~Sophie Scholl
posted
I'd agree that queer stories are more sincere. I also find that queer movies are either deadly serious or very fun (of course, Tipping the Velvet is a bit of both).
I love happy endings as well, even if they're corny or unrealistic (well, as long as it's same-sex...otherwise I would be stooping to Julia Roberts!). I love But I'm a Cheerleader and Velvet Goldmine was cool too (even though I'm a lesbian I found Ewan McGregor & Christian Bale a hot couple). I think the saddest queer film I've seen is Boys Don't Cry - I ate a whole block of chocolate after that one.
I'd say that Tipping the Velvet is probably my favourite queer film (along with Show Me Love) because I love history (especially Victorian England) and the fashion of the time and Nan is gorgeous and it's just a great story that I can really relate to!
Winnie :0)
Posts: 465 | From: Canberra, ACT, Australia | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
If you enjoyed the film then you'll love the book.
I saw the show on BBC and I bought the book a few months later.
I loved it, but to be honest, Rachel Sterling's(Nan) voice went through my head and out the other side.
All the actresses were very good at what they did though, and it was refreshing to see a queer story being told by a channel such as the BBC(they would be the stiffest of the stiff upper lips really).
And it didn't dwell on the gay issue. Even in the book, it's not that big a deal. Nan doesn't even seem to comprehend that it's wrong, which was nice.
posted
Yeah, I love the book. As soon as part 1 finished I made my mum promise to buy it for me in the morning. I finished it last week (the miniseries finished here a week ago).
Winnie :0)
Posts: 465 | From: Canberra, ACT, Australia | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
It was pretty true to the book, especially at the start.
Part 3 was kinda different - in the miniseries Nan goes back to the stage and Kitty comes and sees her while she's rehearsing. When Nan rejects Kitty it is on the opening night of the show. Kitty is sitting in a box in the same place that Nan used to. She sings a song about the rose and gives it to Florence. I don't think she runs into Diana or Zena again either. But I still thought it was good (even if the books ending was better IMO).
Winnie :0)
Posts: 465 | From: Canberra, ACT, Australia | Registered: Jan 2001
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