For some time now it seemed I couldn’t turn around without tripping over mention of the BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell’s North & South and, more particularly, Richard Armitage.
My library did not own it, of course, because I wanted to watch it so badly see, and so I put a request for it in at another library. And then I waited. Waited. Days stretched into a week, more, and my impatience got the better of me. Several stores later, I was the proud owner of North & South. Yesterday I finally got to watch it.
And I’m so very glad so many wonderful bloggers wouldn’t stop talking about it.
In Rhiannon’s post, she states: “It takes a woman, of course, to write a man we will all fall so violently in love with.” It’s true, and I was just having a similar discussion with a co-worker (though we were discussing Sara Donati’s Nathaniel Bonner.) And yet it takes the right man to pull off what the woman has written. Richard Armitage was definitely the right man.
There were so many scenes I could mention. And while he brooded with the best of them, it was the quiet, more vulnerable moments that crept into my heart. I’m thinking of the scene with his mother, where he has crouched down in front of her, denying with heartbreaking surety what she has said about Margaret. The way he searches his mother’s face to determine if what she said could possibly be true. The barest hint of a smile that is gone almost before you realize it was there to begin with. So many sigh-worthy scenes.
I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that also highly enjoyable was Brendan Coyle’s portrayal of Nicholas Higgins. In fact, I quite loved the scenes he shared with Armitage, especially towards the end. Begrudging trust between two strong men has its own charm.
As I type this, actually, I’m rewatching favorite scenes. (Currently the scene at the train station. She’s just gotten up from the bench and he’s killing me with his expression as he watches her walk away.)
So, thank you to all you wonderful bloggers who left this one laying around for me trip over. I most definitely appreciate it.
lol, ah Richard Armitage – such a British hottie. I especially love him in ‘Robin Hood’ when he’s all decked out in leather. Yum.
But you’re right, he is especially delicious in this stoic role.
*sigh* This just makes me incredibly happy, Chelle. I’m glad we didn’t overhype it (is that even possible?!). And I’m glad you re-watched your favorite scenes so I’m not the only one. The scene where she’s riding away in the carriage….wow.
I, too, loved any scene with Nicholas and Thornton in it. So fun to watch that tentative friendship develop.
In the end, I just really, really love Richard Armitage.
I could just watch the train scene on repeat.
Danielle – Who does he play in Robin? Is he in the first season? (Which my library owns!)
Angie – Definitely not possible re: overhype. If anything, I wasn’t fully prepared for how it/he would strike me. I’m still thinking about it today! And that scene…sigh.
Janicu – Me, too!!
Now you must read the book – equally wonderful. Though imagining Richard Armitage while reading happens to be quite a perk.
Michelle – I ordered the book the day after watching the movie and absolutely cannot wait to start reading! And I will absolutely have Richard Armitage in my head while reading.
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It sounds like you have been hit by Thornton Syndrome! Welcome to the club!!!
Have you not discovered Gisborne!? Leather clad… guyliner… sneering… gorgeous? (Seen in all 3 seasons of BBC’s Robin Hood.) It’s a cheesy series, but worth watching for Gizzy.
Natalie – Oh I immediately began tracking down everything he’s ever done, including Robin Hood. All I can say to that is: Season 2, Episode 3. If I were Marian I would have likely made a happy fool out of myself. *grin*