I never did understand why Ophelia went into her closet to sew – the light cannot have been much good in there! I have been thinking much about Hamlet this week, having listened to Alan Bennett’s superb “Denmark Hill” on Saturday [the Radio 4 Afternoon Drama]
And now the film “Effie Gray” is finally due for release. This is a biopic of the woman who was first married to Pre-Raphaelite John Ruskin, and then to John Everett Millais, another PR. The film was scripted by Emma Thompson, who also plays one of the major characters. However there were two lawsuits taken out against ET claiming plagiarism. She won. The film went ahead.
But Liz has alerted me to the bizarre poster for the film
Yes Effie did end up with Millais, who painted ‘Ophelia’ – but he painted that before they got together, and his model was Eizabeth Siddal [wife of Dante Gabriel Rosetti]. So why the apparent implication that it is meant to be Effie in the water? Maybe the film will make this clear.
The film was shot in Britain and Venice, and the actors include the 76 year old beauty Claudia Cardinale, plus David [Poirot] Suchet, Julie Walters, Derek Jacobi, James Fix, Robbie Coltrane and more. Ruskin is played by Greg Wise [he’s Emma Thompson’s husband] Effie herself is portrayed by Dakota Fanning. I’d love to go and see the film – but will have to find someone to go with me as Bob really cannot stand the P-R’s!!
If you want to find out more about the Ophelia painting, check out the excellent section on the Tate Britain website. Liz worked for Tate Britain when she first left Uni, and I really appreciate all the stuff she has taught me about art.
Oh what a coincidence-I heard about this film yesterday on Radio Scotland's Culture Show - apparently, Effie and Ruskin were only married for 6 years before she and Millais got together. They (M and E) had the most fantastic house in Kensington where they regularly hosted the most lavish 'arty' parties where people were encouraged to come and paint. I would go with you to see this film, Angela, if I were close enough! The new Helen Mirren film looks good too.
ReplyDeleteI looked this up after your comment. What a cast. And if it's half as good as Emma Thompson's version of Sense and Sensibility it should be excellent.
ReplyDeleteHave you considered the possibility that the film company have not checked their facts properly? No! Surely not : )
I'd love to go but, the ticket will have to be won as I'm not flush with cash for such frivolities!
ReplyDeleteI used to have the pic of Ophelia as my background to this blog you might remember.
I love the the art of the PRs', one of my favourites is a scene of a woman smelling a rose on a wall, don't know what it is called though.
Oh is this movie out- could i see it in the Big City this weekend when I get my sole soul time??? I do so love the pre-Rs and all their tales. Maybe Tate Modern will have to wait again....
ReplyDeleteHi Angela - being a bit of a trainspotter about language I checked and closet in Shakespearian times just meant a small private room rather than a wardrobe. Hope things are all good for you. Cheers from Carole's Chatter
ReplyDeleteThankyou for the word info Carole! I can always rely on you xx
Delete1) I hadn't heard about this film--thanks for the head's up!
ReplyDelete2) I'm so jealous of you and your BBC 4!
xofrances
I think you may be able to get Radio 4 on the Internet. I do hope so
DeleteI hadn't heard of this film ... shall have to be on the lookout for it. I love P-R art and luckily know very little about the artists' personal lives, so any mishandling of the facts will not be an irritant. :)
ReplyDeleteHave you read "Three Houses" by Angela Thirkell? There are some charming bits in it about her grandfather Edward Burne-Jones, and, if I remember correctly, some references to William Morris as well.
Don't know this book, will check it out, Thanks
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