"The Way We Live Now" (2001) TV mini-series

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

11 November 2001 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

At the centre of the story is Augustus Melmotte (David Suchet), a European-born city financier, whose...

Plot Keywords:

Dominatrix | Costume Drama | Railroad Business | TV Mini-Series | Based On Novel

Awards:

7 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

David Suchet	...	Augustus Melmotte (4 episodes, 2001)
Matthew Macfadyen	...	Sir Felix Carbury (4 episodes, 2001)
Paloma Baeza	...	Hetta Carbury (4 episodes, 2001)
Cheryl Campbell	...	Lady Carbury (4 episodes, 2001)
Shirley Henderson	...	Marie Melmotte (4 episodes, 2001)
Douglas Hodge	...	Roger Carbury (4 episodes, 2001)
Cillian Murphy	...	Paul Montague (4 episodes, 2001)
Miranda Otto	...	Mrs. Hurtle (4 episodes, 2001)
David Bradley	...	Mr. Broune (4 episodes, 2001)
Tony Britton	...	Lord Alfred Grendall (4 episodes, 2001)
Allan Corduner	...	Croll (4 episodes, 2001)
Anne-Marie Duff	...	Georgiana Longestaffe (4 episodes, 2001)
Oliver Ford Davies	...	Mr. Longestaffe (4 episodes, 2001)
Maxine Peake	...	Ruby Ruggles (4 episodes, 2001)
Helen Schlesinger	...	Madame Melmotte (4 episodes, 2001)
Richard Cant	...	Dolly Longestaffe (4 episodes, 2001)
Graham Crowden	...	Marquis of Auld Reekie (4 episodes, 2001)
Tom Fahy	...	Butler at Grosvenor Square (4 episodes, 2001)
Stuart McQuarrie	...	Lord Nidderdale (4 episodes, 2001)
Angus Wright	...	Miles Grendall (4 episodes, 2001)
Rob Brydon	...	Mr. Alf (3 episodes, 2001)
Michele Dotrice	...	Mrs. Pipkin (3 episodes, 2001)
Michael Riley	...	Hamilton K. Fisker (3 episodes, 2001)
Jim Carter	...	Mr. Brehgert (3 episodes, 2001)
Nicholas McGaughey	...	John Crumb (3 episodes, 2001)
Sarah Niven	...	Simpson (3 episodes, 2001)
Jon Rumney	...	Herr Vossner (3 episodes, 2001)
Joanna David	...	Lady Pomona Longestaffe (2 episodes, 2001)
Lilo Baur	...	Didon (2 episodes, 2001)
Tony Pritchard	...	Mr. Wakeham (2 episodes, 2001)
Fenella Woolgar	...	Lady Julia Monogram (2 episodes, 2001)

Runtime:

300 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Luton Hoo Estate, Luton, Bedfordshire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

The usual high quality BBC Victorian novel knock-off

"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+)