The American (PBS Telefilm)
Picture: C+
Sound: B- Extras: D Telefilm: B-
It seems a unique match-up. Put Matthew Modine and Diana Rigg in a PBS/BBC adaptation of
Henry James’ The American (1998), wish in vein for a Full Metal
Jacket or Avengers moment, then enjoy what is there as you
watch. The tale is of Christopher
Newman (Modine) wanting to marry a damsel-in-distress, stuck in an abuse,
power-crazy situation with her aunt (Rigg) and being forced into an arranged
marriage. That will not deter Newman,
but Madame de Bellegarde (Rigg) is not going to give in so easily.
Despite the fact he is very wealthy, Madame insists that
Claire (Aisling O’Sullivan) will not marry under her socio-economic class or
outside of its prestige. It is also personal,
for Madame has been used to her petty, quasi-terroristic ways, no matter how
much of a betrayal they may be to womanhood.
She has more to loose than this progressive upstart from the new world,
who offers freedom and happiness she will never have.
The combination is still very interesting and Rigg steals
every scene she is in, though Modine is underestimated and holds in own in the
scenes with her. At 90 minutes,
however, it seems that the story goes by too fast and many issues are glossed
over as a result. Still, it is an
impressive production and is worth any curious viewer’s time.
The full frame 1.33 X 1 image is the way it was shot, but
it looks good for that just the same, while the Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo fares
better with Pro Logic surrounds. There
are no extras, but it is a solid enough telefilm, and Brenda Flicker also
stars.
- Nicholas Sheffo
