Monday Movie Musings - North And South

No, not the Civil War miniseries starring Patrick Swayze. No, I'm talking about the BBC miniseries starring Richard Armitage.


Haven't watched it yet? Here are ten reasons you should:

1. Richard Armitage.
2. Gorgeous cinematography, ranging from the pastoral beauty of the southern countryside to the stark lines of the northern mill town.
3. Richard Armitage in a cravat.
4. Thoughtful consideration of both sides of a union dispute, with neither cast as the unrelenting villain.
5. Richard Armitage in a snowstorm.
6. "Look back...look back at me."
7. Richard Armitage and a heartbreaking proposal. Sniff.
8. Lovely friendship between Margaret and Nicholas. If Mr. Thornton wasn't around, I'd totally ship them.
9. Have I mentioned Richard Armitage?
10. One of the best onscreen kisses, ever.

Here's a sneak peek:

Seriously, it's a great movie. I highly recommend it! If you haven't seen it yet, what are you waiting for? Go, go, go!

Richard Armitage -- Sigh!

So I mentioned a while back that I'd glommed onto North and South, finally succumbing to the Great North And South Crusade (thanks, KristieJ!). After watching it via Netflix, I ran out and bought my own copy.

(Haven't seen the movie yet? Skip the rental step and just go buy it. You won't regret it.)

Yes, I own it. Yes, I've watched it more than once. Yes, my oldest child has actually learned to play the violin piece by ear because it's been in the DVD player, on main menu, so often that all three can hum the theme song.

ANYway, one of the many, many reasons I love North and South is Richard Armitage. Oh, my heavens, Richard Armitage. Those striking good looks! Those brooding stares! That gorgeous voice!

Le sigh. Le swoon.

Needless to say, N & S was my first introduction to Mr. Armitage. Now, of course, I'm checking out everything else I can get my hands on that he's been in. I hear he's fabulous in Robin Hood, which starts its new season on BBC America on the 26th. If I'm quick, I can get the previous season on Netflix and catch up before the new show.

That, of course, means I have to finish my current Netflix rental, The Vicar of Dibley: Holy Wholly Happy Ending. I've never actually watched The Vicar of Dibley before, so some of the character relationships and in-jokes are going right over my head. But I don't care. RICHARD ARMITAGE is in it! As Harry, Gerry's love interest! And he's SMILING all the time! It's brilliant, I tell you. The most we got out of Mr. Thornton was a twitch at the corner of his mouth a couple of times. A full-on grin is like a gift from the heavens.

So, Richard Armitage. Amazing in North and South, and so far, impressive in other stuff as well. Go see for yourself!