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I was tempted to simply sum this review up in one short sentence (‘I love this film!’) but thought I should probably give a slightly deeper analysis than that, so here we go. This seems to be one of those films where silence speaks volumes. I’ve always respected films like that, believing them to carry both the mark of good actors and a good filmmaker, and I must say, this film dazzles with both.
The film’s based on the relationship between Emily and Charlotte Brontë (played by Marion Kerr and Vivian Kerr), it’s set during the period just after the death of their brother (Branwell) and shortly before Emily’s untimely death. The opening scene depicts the Brontë sisters working on two undisclosed pieces in unison (presumably Wuthering Heights and Shirley). During which time Emily falls victim to a violent coughing fit, this is one of the times to which I’m referring when I say silence speaks volumes, because although neither sister really says anything for the first few minutes, we gather that this is a combined period of grief, worry and literary triumph for the sisters.
It’s during this first scene too that it becomes clear what a masterstroke it was to use genuine siblings to play the sisters. It’s never easy to pull off a sisterly bond, often, when forced, it’s either over or under acted; as no two sisters relationships are exactly the same it’s hard to know what example to base it on. This portrayal of the Brontë sisters, however, seems natural and flowing, from Emily’s polite teasing of Charlotte at the beginning of the film, to when the two stroll arm in arm up a beach, chatting and giggling about Charlotte’s love life, the genuine love between the sisters is almost palpable, giving the film added depth.
When the aforementioned love life of Charlotte is introduced to us we are able to appreciate the truly wonderful acting given by Vivian Kerr, as she manages to eloquently portray Charlotte’s mixed, seemingly repressed, feelings toward Arthur; whilst Kevin Stidham’s portrayal of infatuation, is equally fitting.
However, it’s not until the closing scene, in which Charlotte (through discussing the ending of her, as yet, unfinished book) admits her fear that she doesn’t have enough love for both her dying sister and Arthur that we truly see the Kerr’s Hollywood potential - it’s also at this point that you may want to grab some tissues. The emotion with which this scene is fuelled seems so real, it feels almost intrusive to watch, yet at the same time it retains that almost indefinable, ‘stiff upper lip’ quality, that’s oh so British.
The films a visual treat; nothing particularly ‘dynamic’ - the story’s good enough to carry it – but gorgeous scenery, nice soft lighting throughout, and some brilliant costumes to put us in mind of "Downton Abbey". My only criticism is actually a thinly veiled compliment, in that I’m not sure 12 minutes is long enough to cover such large subjects as approached, i.e. I wand more!
All in all, brilliantly timed, superbly executed and utterly touching: a must see!
