Product: Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story
Rating: 2.0
botched mishmash of melodrama, betrayals, and even spies and war
I knew that the reviews were bad here, but my daughter loved the first two films in this series and wanted the complete set for her collection. Reluctantly, I got it for her, and my expectations - of the worst of the 3, a terrible film that almost ruins the whole concept - were not disappointed. Indeed, this film is so poorly scripted that I was shocked. The actors are good, but even they could not save this.The plot is ridiculously convoluted and impossible to believe after a time. Anne goes to NYC with Gilbert, but both of them experience terrible career setbacks. Upon return to Avonlea, they set about restoring Green Gables during the patriotic fervor for WWI, as seemingly all of their friends are departing. Gilbert decides he must go too, only to vanish. Anne decides to go and find out what happened to him, setting off a series of adventures that leads to a ring of spies, innumerable ridiculously unbelievable coincidences, all amidst war where the bombs are falling nearby, other people fall for Anne, etc etc. Not only does it not hold together, but there is virtually no development of interesting characters, not even the writer who betrays her. Some promising characters make appearances, but no depth or flesh is added to the bones of their behavior.Beyond the plot, the spirit of the series is lost here. There was something so urgent, so pressing about Anne's hopes and efforts, the blooming of her talents for friendship, love, and work - all the great signs of a healthy psychology - that are simply lacking in this film. Even my daughter was laughing at it by the end, I am sorry to say. She is glad to own it as it completes a collection, but I doubt we will want to watch this again.There is some advancement of the plot lines. Anne's bosom companion is not in a very happy marriage. They do get married and decide to move on. Anne still writes and works. Gilbert is also brilliant and with singular integrity. Finally, WWI is portrayed fairly well. But that is it and it is all so predictable. There is also very little humor or discovery in thisNot recommended. This really falls flat on its face.