Product: Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story
Rating: 1.0
Who the heck are these characters? Cause they sure as anything are NOT our Anne and Gilbert
I first saw "Anne of Green Gables" and "Anne of Avonlea"/"Anne of Green Gables- the Sequel" as a child in the '80s. I immediately fell in love with the romantic but realistic, warm characters I saw in the films, characters who made me feel at home with them in a special and magical place. Anne was so sweet and smart and fiery- her spirit could never be diminished- I felt an immediate kinship with her. Gilbert was so strong and smart, so romantic and loyal; his heart never changed. Matthew was the sweetest man I'd ever seen, hidden behind that shy and somewhat gruff exterior. Diana was the perfect best friend, and Marilla, though tough and strict, still had a touchable heart that was able to learn from and embrace Anne. I was definitely a touch disappointed in "Anne of Avonlea" that we didn't get to see enough interplay between Anne and Gilbert, but I got over that. Afterall, the storyline was still enjoyable and it still ended on a good note (though I sincerely wish that note had been extended to be a full magnificent song).I was so incredibly excited when I learned there was going to be a continuation of their story!! Oh my goodness! I couldn't believe it! They were going to show me the interplay that had been missing in the Sequel! I was going to see all my beloved kindred spirits from when I was a child! I couldn't wait! I made my whole family sit in the room (even my father, who of course had very little interest but was supporting his excited daughter). I made refreshments for everyone and did a countdown to the day.I don't know if I have ever been more disappointed in a movie. The relationships didn't have their warmth. I still didn't get to see the interplay that should have been there between Gilbert and Anne. The wedding that should have been the pinnacle led up to by the first 2 movies was glossed over, almost an afterthought. The storyline was ridiculous. My beloved kindred spirits were painfully absent- their personalities taken over by some Sullivan monstrous creations. Yes, they still shared the same names. Yes, on paper some of the relationships were still the same. Yes, I even admit that there were a couple of moments when hope began to bloom that maybe, just maybe, a few seconds of the old warmth was resurfacing, but it never actually happened. This was NOT a true ANNE OF GREEN GABLES movie!!!That said, it's been years since that travesty of a first viewing occurred. Nowadays I've learned to not hate the movie, and sometimes I even want to watch it. But I've had to make a point of reminding myself that this movie is NOT about our "Anne girl". I am forced to play a mindgame and tell myself that this is just a dream/nightmare that our "Anne girl" had one night and not the reality that she actually lived. And by disallowing this from being the true fate of the girl who was my bosom friend in the 80s, I can actually find some enjoyment in what would otherwise only be a true cinematic tragedy.If you haven't seen this movie yet, my advice is that you're probably better off not seeing it. If you have seen it and are having difficulty getting it out of your head when you're attempting to watch and enjoy the first 2 movies, my advice is to try the same mindgame I've been forced into "This is not real. These are not really Anne, Gilbert, Diana... They are figments from a nightmare Anne had one night and they will go away in a few hours and then she will be back to the real her and the real Gilbert and the real Diana and the real Avonlea..."