[Hardy-l] Re: Thoughts on 'Tess'

[Fraser Pakes]

I  too am finding this production well worth watching - refreshing in  
many ways - despite some mirror images of Polanski's film.

The May day dancing on the slopes above the sea, gave me a bit of a  
jolt  (Polanski's Normandy field setting seemed much more the correct  
place).  Alec, for me, doesn't have the presence or worldliness of  
Hardy's character - the cigar is not enough !  He looks as though he  
could be any young, ordinary man Tess might have seen in her own  
village.

Gemma Arterton, I think, is excellent.  Whatever she does not bring  
to the role is not her fault.  Everyone seems to have a strong and  
differing view of what Tess should look, and be, like.  This is  
compounded by the ever-present problem for film makers of trying to  
turn 21st century actors into 19th century people.  Dorset country  
life in the 19th century as we know,  was not idyllic, and the  
harshness of life shows in the photography of the faces and figures  
of the people of the time.  The actors, particularly the female ones  
- their looks, their body movements and gestures - just appear too  
modern !!!!

Fraser Pakes