Spoonatects Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

AshUnow This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Lollivan It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Mobithailand The TV adaption of The Go-Between is excellent. Dare I say it? Yes, why not – it was far more enjoyable than the book.Yet the drama was faithful to the book in nearly every respect. It didn't need to change much because, at its heart, The Go-Between is a good story with some fascinating characters. The story relates the experiences of a 12-year old boy from somewhat straightened family circumstances who spends his summer holidays with a very wealthy school chum at his grand home in the Norfolk countryside. He is 'used' as a messenger between a wealthy young lady, (the school chum's elder sister), and her working-class, tenant farmer lover. This leads to some predictable consequences – given that the sister is betrothed to the local Lord, who has ugly facial scars from his time in the Boer War.The film spares us the unlikely contemplations of the boy messenger, but allows us to watch him as he slowly comes to realise that the business between the two is not really 'business' business, but 'love affair' business.It is particularly poignant because our little hero has developed a boyhood crush on his chum's sister and on top of this he has become a bit of a snob. He thoroughly disapproves of the clash of classes and he wants her to marry the ugly Lord.The film is brilliantly acted by one and all. I have not come across any of the actors before, save the wonderful Jim Broadbent who plays a cameo role as the boy some fifty years later.The camera work of the grand house, the characters in their Victorian finery and especially the Norfolk countryside is mesmerising. Somehow, the cinematography brings to life a long- forgotten era of England during the years before the First World War; when walking and horse carts were still the main form of transport, and a time when everyone still kowtowed to the Lord of the Manor.So much was to change so soon – as the 'boy' recalls when he returns to the area for the first time, some 50 years later. Search for this TV drama on DVD or legal download and enjoy it. But skip the book.

graham clarke One can understand the BBC's desire to remake "Cider with Rosie" and "Lady Chatterley's Lover", and perhaps even "An Inspector Calls", although the last has at least two fine filmed versions, but their decision to remake "The Go-Between" was a misguided one.Jospeh Losey's 1971 version is one of those rare occasions in which everything seemed to be right - a top notch cast, beautiful cinematography, a terrific Michel Legrand score and a superb Harold Pinter screenplay. L.P. Hartley himself was moved to tears after seeing the film. So then why remake it? How could it possibly fare in comparison?This television version does not even begin to complete with its predecessor. Adrian Hodge shows little faith in his audience forgoing any subtlety in his dialogue and general characterisation. The cast are a pale and uncharismatic bunch. Seek out Hartley's novel and Losey's film – they are masterpieces. Skip this one.

Prismark10 'The past is a foreign country: They do things differently there.'What a great opening line and it belongs to the novel which this is adapted from. It got me immediately hooked.What also helped was an astonishing performance from actor Jack Hollington who played Leo.The film starts with Leo as an old man (Jim Broadbent) going back to revisit the summer of 1900 which had a profound effect on his life.As a 12 year old boy he went to stay with a well to do school friend Marcus and his family, it becomes apparent that Leo is from a more modest background and has to adjust to a society of privilege and wealth.Leo is struck by the beautiful Marian who is due to be engaged to Viscount Trimingham (Stephen Campbell Moore) and therefore set herself up for life. However he has been disfigured in the Boer War and Marian has been having a passionate affair with tenant farmer Ted Burgess (Ben Batt smoldering like a younger Rufus Sewell for all his worth.)Leo is used by Marian and Ted as a go-between carrying secret messages between the two, yet he also used to convey messages between Trimingham and Marian.Leo realises even at his tender age that the affair between lowly Ted and Marian is doomed and also he has been used by Marian. Her kind acts to get new clothes for him had ulterior motives.It was a fast moving adaptation, very much cut down from all the flab. It kept the class divisions subdued, even Trimingham a war veteran aims to have cordial relations with his tenants in the estate but definitely wants to win the cricket match against his farmers.Lesley Manville gives an icy performance as Mrs Maudsley, Marion's mother who suspects what she has been up to but hell bent on her marrying Trimingham. Even Trimingham suspects she is not entirely his hence why he would like Ted to join the army.I have not seen the 1971 film version but I guess seeing Julie Christie and Alan Bates together again would probably had taken my mind back to their earlier pairing in Far from the Madding Crowd which kind of has a few superficial similar plot elements.There is a coda at the end as the older Leo encounters the older Marion (Vanessa Redgrave) which rounds off the story. Leo however is still haunted by the past.

Paul Evans Leo recounts his life, the Summer of 1900 had a huge impact on his life, when as a 12 year old he went to stay with School friend Marcus and his family. Since that Summer Leo has lived in the Shadows of the past. Leo is enchanted by the beautiful Marian, she recognises that Leo is from a humble background, and as they are surrounded by such wealth she takes pity on him and treats him to new clothes. Her motive for doing so though was to sneak off and meet with someone. Whilst out playing Leo heads to the farm owed by Ted Burgess, Leo falls and gets patched up by Ted, Leo offers a favour in return, he is to carry a message back to Marian. Young Leo becomes the go between for the two who are conducting a secret love affair,carrying messages back and forth. Marion's engagement to the Wealthy Viscount Trimingham is announced and the love triangle seems doomed.A true tale of class and forbidden love, this was a glowing adaptation, it's been a long time since I saw the 70's version, but this was excellent. A definite bright future ahead for young Jack Hollington (Leo) he managed to outshine a totally wonderful cast, he was just incredible, a hugely talented young man. It's brilliant acted by all, but Lesley Manville should get a special mention as the cold Mrs Maudsley.Favourite scene for me had to be the discussion between Leo and Marian, when as a confused youngster he can't understand why Marian couldn't marry her true love Ted. It was just wonderful.The scene of Mrs Maudsley bullying Leo into divulging the secret place of assignation between Marian and Ted was tough to watch.You cannot help watch this and help feel sad for Leo, manipulated by both Marian and Ted, both used him badly, Trimingham treated him very well and knew all along what was going on, never once turning on Leo.Bravo BBC 9/10