Purely Joyful Movie!

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

The fact that this is a true story is so unbelievable. Not only was it scandalous for the 18th Century England, it would be quite shocking today. This is a handsomely made costume drama beautifully filmed and well acted but the story is so sordid and shocking for the 21st Century.Natalie Dormer of the Tudors and GOT stars as Seymour Fleming a noblewoman in 18th Century England. She was an heiress. She married a man who turned out to be a pervert - he liked to watch her with other men. But in those days all a woman's property went to her husband upon marriage. When she fell in love with one of the other men and left her husband - he sued for "conversation" some kind of adultery damages. A sensational trial follows in which the other men testify. The outcome is bittersweet but the story is really fascinating. An interesting commentary on women's rights in a marriage in the 18th Century. The story couldn't have been made portrayed on film explicitly in the past since it's so salacious.

We're back to England in 1782, and the true story of the unusual goings on between Lord and Lady Worsley, back in a time when a man's wife was his property, and he was free to do with her as he wished. A little bit of time hopping shows the scene, Evans meets heiress Natalie Dormer who comes with a hefty dowry. They quickly marry, and it's not long before we discover Sir Richard has some unusual sexual appetites.I am a big fan of Natalie Dormer plays Lady Seymour Worsley, she's proved she can play historical figures with ease, having given a superb performance as Anne Boleyn in the Tudors series, I've always thought she has something bewitching about her.Shaun Evans is excellent as the very stern, slightly sordid Lord Richard Worsley. Being a huge Morse/Endeavour fan, I'm always keen to see him in other things, he does not disappoint.The sets are stunningly lavish, with extremely high production values, the costumes are visually stunning, Dormer's green court outfit is fabulous.The story is unusual, who'd have thought these events occurred back in the 18th century. I applaud the BBC trailer for making it appear as if she was a black widow, and a scheming woman, when actually the story is vastly different.I must admit, I totally enjoyed the court scenes, sometimes when a drama switches to the courtrooms it can develop into melodrama, but the scenes are great. Why has the judge got a sheepskin rug on his head!!!Thank you BBC, I really enjoyed it, long may these Period dramas continue8/10

Natalie Dormer takes the title role of Lady W who on marriage was considered as chattel to her husband as wives tended to be at the time. Her Lord and Master was Sir Richard, a pompous politician as well as a voyeur and pervert to boot.In order to please him Lady W slept with 26 men while he watched through the keyhole. Lady W eventually fell in love with Captain George Bisset who she became pregnant with and eventually ran off with.Sir Richard felt aggrieved as he felt he was robbed of his property and sued Captain George for £20,000, a princely sum in those days. In the ensuing court case, Lady W turned the tables on her husband as she unveiled his fetishes to the world at large.This was a fun filled drama, slightly naughty here and there but brought out the hypocrisy and perversion of the ruling elite. although the language sounded modern we are told that the actual court case is based on the court transcripts.Dormer was strong, stubborn and sexy all in red. Shaun Evans had the difficult role as the cuckolded husband but he endeavoured to bring out his character's repression and perversion at the same time.Aneurin Barnard who appeared in Cilla last year as Cilla Black's husband looked unrecognisable without the grey/blond hairdo he was saddled with in that drama and was more gorgeous George here who eventually was also embarrassed of Lady W's bedroom antics.The BBC cuts that the corporation have had to endure for the last 5 years are now beginning to show. This was a low budget drama for BBC2, quickly shot and you can tell the director was doing their best with a meagre budget and whatever Georgian setting they could get access to.

This is a period movie length drama from the BBC that others probably would have turned into a lengthy miniseries. It felt like there was certainly lots of possible material to pad it out if they had gone down that route. I gather the budget for this was quite tight due to current cuts at the BBC. It doesn't show mostly, but it felt a little under resourced at times.Nevertheless its well acted by the whole cast and a very enjoyable story, especially given its based on true, if very unusual, events.Natalie adds some glamor whilst Shaun Evans plays the eccentric husband in only a way he can. Recommended.