Spidersecu
Don't Believe the Hype
Sameer Callahan
It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.
Fleur
Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
chorima75
"Sparkhouse" is not a straight adaptation of "Wuthering Heights". It is as if the characters had read Brontë's novel (like ill-fated lovers Carol and Andrew do at the beginning) and the plot and events kept reappearing uncannily in their own lives. I watched this TV-series as part of my PhD research some years ago and I must confess I was not enjoying it at first. I thought that the depiction of Carol as a 21st century female Heathcliff was brilliant (and wonderfully played by Sarah Smart). However, I was feeling let down by the two male roles, played by two actors I had never seen before. Andrew (Joe MacFadden, doing his best with a thankless role) was not convincing as modern male Cathy. While one could sympathise with the lack of options of Brontë's heroine (a 19th century woman), Andrew (a 21st century man) came across as an insufferably weak mummy's boy. Shy farmhand John was nicer but... what a clumsy scruff! I rolled my eyes at every one of his stammering attempts to woo Carol. That, until the scene where John got the haircut. Then, my jaw literally fell to the floor. I pictured myself kicking Andrew's back and shouting "Move over!". It was then when I discovered that John was played by a certain Mr. Richard Armitage (already stealing the show in his debut), on whom I have had a crush ever since. I immediately felt bad about myself. While now I could not get enough of him (I desperately wanted Carol to love him), I had not thought he deserved a second look till he became handsome. I realised how easy it was to become Isabella Linton while thinking you were Cathy all along, how easy it was to judge by appearances instead of looking inside the soul. I feel better by thinking Cathy daughter made the same mistake in Brontë's novel. Her anger did not let her see the wonderful guy she had in front (Hareton, a character with whom John has been compared). Praises to Sally Wainwright for writing the all the roles so well and praises to Richard Armitage for playing John so well. He is one of those actors who use all the body in their performances, even the most insignificant detail: the way Carol pulls him by the hand while he drags his feet, head down, perfectly defines their relation. It seems incredible that he is the same person who went to play smouldering John Thornton and villain Guy of Gisborne (attention to a cute scene in "Sparkhouse" with then twelve year-old Holliday Grainger, years later his love interest in "Robin Hood"). Let's hope "The Hobbit" makes him the star he deserves to be.
pawebster
OK it's very melodramatic, but what acting by the two leads! Both of them are excellent in this. I've seen Sarah Smart do a similar 'act' in other things. Whatever it is, she does it very well.Joe McF plays his passionate and emotional part very well here. I know he irritates some reviewers by his 'soppiness' in this, but that's the character.I'm surprised that Sparkhouse did not catapult both of them into much greater prominence. Joe McF, in particular, seems almost to have disappeared from the screen.By the way, I also think Camilla Power is good in her rather thankless role. To think she was once in Narnia! Richard Armitage also does well here, but doubt I'll ever understand the adulation he seems to attract.
David198
The best drama on UK television since Our Friends in the North. This has everything: brilliant acting (especially from Sarah Smart who should have won a BAFTA), passion, drama, unexpected plot twists, and above all INTENSITY. It's well-written, incredibly moving, and has a real power to it that most TV dramas lack.Yes, it's based on Wuthering Heights and there are one or two quotes from the book, but it's a million miles away from being plagiarism. I would go so far as to say that it's better than the original, certainly more contemporary, and in many ways quite different.The fact that this is not available on DVD is a crime!
kenhelnette
Never really watched other wainright series "at home with the braithwaights." but this is magnificant. Two main stars are brilliant. In this modern version of wuthering heights the roles of cathy and heathcliff are swapped. The son of a doctor and the abused daughter of a local alcoholic farmer have a passionate obsessive love affair. Thwarted by his snobbish parents and some very personal home truths, the two are forced apart. He leaves to go to university. The events then take on both the Brontee and also more modern slants. The direction is fast paced and uses the moors in most scenes and is a piece of absolutely fantastic very grabbing television. Is just unmissable tv!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
