Product: The Girl
Rating: 1.0
Most Frustrating Cookson Heroine
****SPOILERS ****I normally enjoy the Catherine Cookson movies, but this one was so ridiculous I had to comment on it. I found Hannah to be such an unsympathetic character for being so meek and foolish and full of self-pity. How can she think it was ok to want to marry her half-brother? She took advantage of the well-meaning Fred and trampled on his hopes without a second thought. In comparison, we see her step-sister Margaret, who also experienced disappointment in love, go out and make something happen for herself. Hannah's treatment of her husband was appaling. Fred cared for her while she was sick (after roaming in the rain with another man on her wedding day) and took her on in good faith. In return she cheated on him and had the gall to expect to inherit all his possessions to use for her lover. Hannah showed a level of callousness and disregard that's hard to swallow in a heroine. She lacked the courage and steadiness of character that Margaret had. I kept hoping for Margaret and Fred to get together instead. Ned, played by Clive Owen look-a-like Jonathan Cake, could have been better as well. His acting was generally good but a bit over the top in some parts. Maybe the weak script was to blame for some of his dialogue. On the plus side, there's a strong supporting cast and great production details to achieve the period look.