Madame Bovary

Bovary Revisited
The second BBC stab at Flaubert's novel in recent memory, successful primarily for the delicately shaded performance of Frances O'Connor (who did similarly elegant work in the recent feature of MANSFIELD PARK). Handsome enough physical production, good supporting cast, but many unnecessary additions in character and plot points from the screenwriter, and considerably more English than French in feel (the estimable Eileen Atkins, in particular, makes the elder Madame Bovary seem like a refugee from E.F. Benson). Closer in spirit to the novel than the Chabrol film, with a hopelessly pragmatic Emma in Isabelle Huppert; still eclipsed by the MGM version, where Jennifer Jones' neurotic beauty seems very close to the ideal realization of the book's elusive anti-heroine. Enjoyable enough, but not on a par with the BBC's finest adaptations.

Finely nuanced story of an adulterous wife
I admit I've never quite managed to get through Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary, and have only watched one other screen adaptation in addition to this 2000 adaptation, which has been only recently released (2012) as a Region 1 DVD. 1976's Madame Bovary - The Complete Miniseries may seem outdated in terms of production qualities, but I highly recommend it for the stellar casting, especially Francesca Annis' compelling portrayal of the wayward Emma Bovary. Then there's this 2000 adaptation starring Frances O'Connor as the ambitious, passionate Emma Bovary. Emma has humble beginnings, starting out as an indulged farmer's daughter who gets a quality education (in comparison to other girls of her station) at an Ursuline convent. She catches the eye of the local village doctor, Charles Bovary (Hugh Bonneville of Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey...

A Solid BBC Presentation From 2000: One Of Literature's Most Frustrating And Fascinating Anti-Heroes
This BBC presentation from 2000 netted its star Frances O'Connor a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a miniseries or movie, and that certainly shouldn't come as a major surprise. The character of Emma Bovary is easily one of literature's most fascinating and frustrating heroines. Although largely unsympathetic (I suppose you might conveniently call her an antihero), it is an epic character arc ripe for dramatic interpretation. With this literary pedigree, however, it probably isn't a simple task to encompass and channel the intricacies of Gustave Flaubert's classic novel. And indeed, that is the case here. Although this two-part adaptation is solidly constructed, well acted and handsomely produced, it still lacks some of the finer nuances of Flaubert's prose. Again, though, I think that is to be expected. So instead of comparing the two mediums, I'll just say that BBC's "Madame Bovary" certainly stands on its own as a worthy version of the story.

As I...

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