Importing the BBC: “R” is for “Ridiculous”
Over the weekend we saw a disappointing BBC adaptation of I Capture the Castle, which is a delightful novel by Dodie Smith (who wrote the original story 101 Dalmations).
The direction was uneven, matched by a now-too-fast, now-too-slow screenplay adaptation of the novel. The acting ranged all over, from Bill Nighy’s endearingly explosive portrayal of the family’s father to Henry Thomas’ stiff version of Simon. (Henry Thomas, in case the name doesn’t ring a bell, played Elliott in Spielberg’s E.T.)
Strangest of all was the film’s “R” rating. We puzzled over this before starting the film, and then someone said, “Ah! In the book, Topaz is a nudist!” Sure enough, near the beginning of the film is a short scene in which wildly romantic Topaz disrobes in a field. I cannot think of a more innocent instance of nudity in any film I’ve ever seen, but apparently this ribald mammary display sent the MPAA into paroxysms of Puritanical rage, and thus a YA novel adaptation came to our shores with a big “For Mature Audiences Only” label stamped on it.
It just boggles the mind to live in a place where I Capture the Castle and Live Free or Die Hard are given the same film rating.
Maureen McQ said,
June 27, 2007 @ 10:54 am
When I first started reading I thought, there was a BBC adaptation of I Capture the Castle? And I missed it?
But as I kept reading, it turned out to be okay since it sounds like an adaptation to be missed. Kelly Link gave me a copy of I Capture the Castle several years ago, and I have bought and given copies to several others over the years.
Next John McClane at the Castle.
beth said,
June 28, 2007 @ 10:45 am
Kelly gave me I Capture the Castle too! I think in the same package with Chabon’s The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.
And yes, this is not a film to add to your must-see list. More the sort of film to watch if it happens to be on cable on a Wednesday afternoon when you’re feeling snuffly and don’t have the energy for anything taxing.
(To clue you in to my general film tastes, I actually had to look up “John McClane” on Wikipedia. I think if he showed up at Cassandra’s castle, though, it could be hugely entertaining…)