Wonderful character development!

Who payed the critics

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

For those who've read Trollope's novel, this adaptation might at times feel like a bit of a departure, since like most book adaptations, the film takes some artistic liberties.But in this case, they work. By turns, this production reminded me of 'The Age of Innocence', 'Angels & Insects', and even those gorgeous Merchant-Ivory films. While this was of a slightly different caliber, the sets and costumes were equally exquisite.The Melmott family is the most entertaining with a classically surreal Tim Burton sensibility about them--odd & wickedly funny, reminding me of the characters in 'Beetlejuice' & other films with eccentric performances by the the likes of Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, etc. As I'm a sucker for romantically dramatic costumes, I loved all the wardrobe for Mrs. Melmott & Marie's characters as much as their antics! And the over-the-top Melmott mansion was delicious eye candy.But the rest of the story/characters too were interesting enough to make me want to watch all 4 episodes. My other favorite character is Mrs. H., whose southern accent took a a sudden turn into a British one at times, yet was wonderful and quite watchable.And last but not least, Cillian Murphy was, as always, angelically entrancing. He and Mrs. H. made a far more interesting (and sexy) couple, but that would have been a different film altogether... All in all, if you're expecting the standard period piece, you'll get one, but with quite a bit more fun & spice thrown in! ~NN

This is, by far, one of the best BBC Drama series that I have ever seen in my entire life. Although the story takes a while to start off, the series and especially the end will not disappoint you. I am no fan of the BBC costume drama's (they have made so many, I almost lost the count) but since I was a Poirot fan and therefore a David Suchet fan, I gave this a try and as I said, I was surprised by the effect it had on me.The acting is at it's very best, and my attention again goes to David Suchet in particular, because he kept amazing me every time I saw him on screen in the role of Augustus Melmotte, I can't find the words to say how perfect his acting is. Not much actors get close to perfection... but David Suchet most certainly does.Matthew MadFadyen, Cillian Murphy, Miranda Otto and a whole range of other actors also deserve to be praised. Just as the brilliant David Yates and the memorable music of Nicholas Hooper.If you have never seen this series, don't hesitate for a moment and buy it on DVD. I'm sure you will agree with me ;) .

Not as boring as the James adaptations, first rate performances with the usual aristos pretending money isn't everything, and the promise of America shimmering on the horizon. Cillian Murphy and Miranda Otto both have their stardoms explained by these roles, as does Matthew Mcfadyen posing as a "waster". Shirley Henderson does a great job gluing you to the screen, what will she do, the daughter of a wealthy Jew one day, the disgraced orphan the next. This movie does a really fantastic job showing what Historical London of the period must have been like. The "Jewish problem" is worked on a little bit, and also the promise of the great tycoon fortunes to be made in America. Don't miss the big dinner seen- wow everything is actually laid out on the table.

"The Way We Live Now", like most Victorian period satire, looks into the lives of numerous characters sorting through the intrigues and foibles of romance, wickedness, power, and the pursuit of peerage and property. A lightly perfumed costume flick which tilts unabashedly between comedy and drama, this story centers on a crude but rich businessman (Suchet) whose powerful performance is the backbone of the film. Side plots include an issue fraught romance, an attempt to marry into a fortune, a scheme to build a railroad from Utah to Mexico, cheating at love and cards, politics, a woman scorned, and much more. A four hour TV miniseries from the BBC, "The Way We Live Now" has plenty of time to sort through its many characters while tidying up at the end making it a busy and enjoyable Victorian period film. A should-see for anyone into BBC TV fare, Victorian period stories, and 19th century pulp fiction. (B+)