Fingersmith (2005) (TV)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Aisling Walsh

Writers:

Peter Ransley (screenplay)
Sarah Waters (novel)

Release Date:

27 March 2005 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Susan "Sue" Trinder is a fingersmith (British slang for thief) who lives in the slums of London with...

Plot Keywords:

London | Thief | Asylum | Abuse | Mental Hospital

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Elaine Cassidy	...	Maud Lilly
Sally Hawkins	...	Sue Trinder
Imelda Staunton	...	Mrs. Sucksby
Rupert Evans	...	Richard 'Gentleman' Rivers
Charles Dance	...	Mr. Christopher Lilly
David Troughton	...	Mr. Ibbs
Bronson Webb	...	John Vroom
Demelza Randall	...	Dainty
Stephen Wight	...	Charles
Polly Hemingway	...	Mrs. Stiles
Stephanie Middleton	...	Young Sue
Tallulah Pitt-Brown	...	Young Maud (as Tallula Pitt-Brown)
Richard Durden	...	Mr. Hawtrey
Sam Graham	...	Dr. Christie
William Oliver	...	Dr. Graves

Runtime:

181 min (3 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | Netherlands:12 | Finland:K-13 (re-rated) | Finland:K-18 (original rating) | UK:15

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Sally Head Productions

Trivia:

Novel writer Sarah Waters makes a cameo as one of the servants, in the scene where young Maud arrives at Briars.

Quotes:

John Vroom: Jack of diggers on the bitch of hearts... ain't you slow.

Love, passion, and excellent acting

I love Sarah Waters's Fingersmith, and was worried about the TV adaptation as I'd been disappointed by the BBC's version of Tipping the Velvet (which although beautiful to look at was let down by Keeley Hawes not being able to sing, and Rachael Stirling not being able to act). Fingersmith is a very tightly plotted novel with breath taking twists and turns and I wondered if this could be done justice to in just 3 hours.

I needn't have worried. The adaptation was excellent, very little cut out, and went along at a cracking pace (although I did wonder whether if you hadn't read the book, would you miss things?). It had the look and feel of a BBC classic costume drama and i kept having to remind myself that this is a contemporary book.

The acting was stellar. Sally Hawkins acting her heart out as Sue Trinder, and Elaine Cassidy, a slow burner, who by the end of the story was incandescent as Maud Lilley. The love, the passion, the realisation of the acts of betrayal both would have to perform, were written on their faces. It was a joy to watch.

I hope Rachael Stirling was watching: that's how you play a Sarah Waters character!