Maybe In Another Life (Another Life (DVD))

Member Name: al1892

Product:	Another Life (DVD)
Date:	20/02/06 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Based on a true story Fascinating story.

Disadvantages: Based on a true story ! :o end revealed at beginning .

As you will have seen from the 'advantages' and 'disadvantages' this film is indeed based upon a true story. This, whilst in my opinion adding to the appeal, actually becomes quite shocking especially at the end of the film. I do not wish to reveal what happens however so you'll have to take my word for it!

The film
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This film is set around the First World War but unlike a few other films the director has made a concerted effort to retain genuine dialogue. This is definitely a plus and I enjoyed the fact that you could be learning about the way people spoke and the moral views that they held at this time. Certainly a stark contrast to those of the current day.

The Story
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Naturally I do not want to be revealing all that happens, although annoyingly the back of the DVD and the beginning of the film reveal this with a kind of flashback.

The film begins VERY slowly with numerous credits which frankly as they appear later anyway I felt were rather pointless and tedious. I would've rather they just got straight into it.

Once it finally begins however the pace picks up nicely.

As I mention above, the start involves a flashback or I guess a flashforward! It shows you 90% of how it ends before returning to the 'present' day. This doesn't appeal to me but if you like to know what's going to happen and then see how it gets there..

The gist of the story is that Edith (Natasha Little) has commited herself to a marriage. This is fine until the war comes and Percy (Nick Moran) happily dodges conscription to the First World War effort. Not impressed by this and by Percy's dull nature, the gloss is taken off the marriage for Edith.

The wanderlust that Edith is feeling is exacerbated by her younger sister Mavis' (Rachel Stirling) new boyfriend Freddy Bywaters (Ioan Gruffudd) arrival onto the scene. Freddy is everything that Percy isn't - young, exciting, adventurous.

Edith who adores books as they provide the opportunity to escape through her imagination, lets her imagination run wild to the extent of envisaging getting rid of Percy by any means. Freddy becomes embroiled in this imaginary world but he sees things rather differently to Edith!

My Opinions
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I very much enjoyed this film. I thought that the acting was superb. Even Ioan Gruffudd's cockney accent was quite good for a well spoken welshman (though cockneys might not agree!). I felt that the casting director had done well with the pairing of Rachel Stirling and Natasha Little as sisters as they bounced off each other very well.

I cannot pick out one character who I thought was badly acted and although I thought that Ioan was bit old to play Freddy at first his playful nature was there and had me laughing out loud at one point - unheard of!

As I mentioned briefly before, I enjoyed the fact that this film gives you a glimpse into the life and morals of early 20th Century Britain, for example the scorn and stigma of divorce; the criminal system; and generally sociology, including the position of women and the effects of the war on the demographic.

I was shocked at the fact that this was a true story and was fascinated by the end when they give you some of the facts.

I was also intrigued by the way that the film explored the imagination of Edith. This I felt added enormously to the film.

Would I recommend it?
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Without hesitation yes. This film has all the ingredients you could want - crime, romance, history...
Impeccably acted and with a solid plot it is definitely worth watching.

The DVD
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The box so you can recognise it has a picture of Natasha Little with profiles of Ioan Gruffudd and Nick Moran either side of her.

I bought my copy from Play.com for £11.99 so whilst not cheap, I could watch it again.

The only extras are a Theatrical Trailer which is pretty pointless, the original soundtrack which I have to confess I haven't bothered listening to yet, and the usual scene selection and interactive menu.

Certificate - 15 - sex, violent scene but just one.
Released - 2001
Director - Phillip Goodhew
Duration - 1hr 41mins.


Any questions particularly about the plot I'll happily talk to you about it in my guestbook so as to not spoil it for those who might watch it : )

al x

Summary: Fascinating to watch.