"The Spotlight is on......Our Mutual Friend"

Super sorry, everyone, for not doing a "Spotlight" post sooner; life has been a little busy these past weeks. But, as promised, here is another "Spotlight". I couldn't think of a person to do it on, so I decided to do the latest movie I watched, recommended by Eowyn and her sister. That would be BBC's version of Charles Dickens' book, Our Mutual Friend.

                                                        
I had never heard of this book or movie, so I was intrigued when they told me about this movie. I usually like to read the book before seeing the movie, but I'm trying to finish a biography on Bess Truman before it goes back to the library. Speaking of which, I need to double-check when it's due......Back to the movie!!!

I was a tad confused when the movie began. Lizzie is rowing on the river with her dad and retrieves a body? What's going on? (Yes, I can be a little slow if I've never seen the movie before or read the book.) But as the movie progressed, I was able to put all the puzzle pieces and story lines together. The plot focuses on John Harmon, returning to London to receive his inheritance but "drowns" and is living under the alias John Rokesmith, in order to watch the girl his father arranged for him to marry, Bella Wilfer. John and Bella have never met, and he's a bit curious as to her character and personality. And, too, I think he wanted to insure he was marrying for love and that she loved him. That was a wonderful love affair to watch unfold. The scene where Mr. Boffin is yelling at Mr. Rokesmith and Bella defends him!! Oh, so sweet to know that she's not really shallow and money-loving!

The second story-line revolves around Lizzie Hexam and her two suitors: Eugene Wrayburn and Bradley Headstone. Mr. Headstone is a passionate schoolteacher friend of Lizzie's bratty, ungrateful brother Charley. Mr. Wrayburn is an upper-society barrister who lives with his partner Mortimer Lightwood, who handles John Harmon Sr.'s will. He starts out with....LESS than honorable intentions towards Lizzie, but soon realizes he wants to marry her more than anything, despite the fact his father already has a bride in mind for him.

Sweet, innocent Lizzie who helps her brother get schooling and in turn must run for her life when Mr. Headstone begins stalking her.

He gets a little obsessed towards the end.

Quickly became my main bad guy of the movie. 

Eugene Wrayburn teased Mr. Headstone by leading him around London every night.

He seemed a tad...strange up until Eugene realizes he loves Lizzie and marries her.

Then he doesn't hesitate to admit he does not deserve her love.

                                                                 Very sweet and honest.

I have to tell you, I was laughing when Headstone attacked Eugene. Not at the scene, but at my sister. We were baby-sitting and the kids had gone to bed, so we watched some while waiting for the parents to return. Right after the attack, they pulled into the garage. Miranda starts wailing, "No! That's horrible; We HAVE to go home and finish this! I will not be able to sleep tonight if we don't!" So the parents walk in and she's crying and I am laughing my silly head off at her while trying to tell that, yes, we will finish it when we get home. Thankfully, we live across the street, so we didn't have to wait too long.

This was a sweet touch. I felt sorry for Jennie and sad at how angry she had become because of her life. I'm SO happy she and Sloppy found happiness and love in each other.

And there you have it! What did you think? Have you seen the movie or read the book? I've requested it from the library, so I'll let you know my thoughts on it soon!

Katelyn