algayathi

Superb performances all round and beautifully shot, with great care on period detail. However, all just a wee bit obvious, and the "conversion" in each of the protagonists seems to happen a little too fast and too easily. Another half hour of film footage to develop this would have made for a stronger film. Having said this, it's eminently watchable and entertaining.

Not a patch on the superb stage version. The doubling of Bennett in the moment and the narrating Bennett which works so well on stage just doesn't come off in the film. Maggie Smith plays her now standard presentation of gaga old woman with two facial expressions. The actress who played her on stage gave the character depth. Miss Shepherd had been a talented musician and was a highly intelligent woman. She was feisty and sharp. Little of this came over as Smith mumbled her way through it, often inaudible. I left.