Dec 15 2008
Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning
Did it have to be so depressing?
I, like most Canadians - well, girls, anyway, grew up with Anne of Green Gables. The books, not the television show - I never did actually watch the television show. But I read the books over and over as a young ‘un.
CTV aired Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning this evening.
With a bare minimum of commercials - which, normally, I would consider a very positive thing. But oy vey! It is about halfway through as I am typing this - and so far it has been so incredibly depressing that the few commercials are a relief. Welcome interuptions, even.
Honestly, I would have already flipped away and found something else to watch - America’s Funniest Home Videos, perhaps? - had it not been for the appearance of Shirley MacLaine in the role of matriarch Amelia Thomas.
The rewritten story is largely, according to media reports, based on Lucy Maude Montgomery’s journals - now those, I would like to read.
Anyway - so far the entire show has just been harsh and depressing. The film moves features an adult version of Anne, now widowed, worried about her son who did not return and has not been heard from since the end of that war. Her (depressed) adult self finds a letter from her father, which triggers a bunch of memories. And these are the focus of the other parts of the movie - the child version of Anne who is subjected to so many losses and abuses that I cringe every time the poor kid appears on screen.
YAY! Another commercial break!
I adored the Anne of Green Gables books and show years ago. Now, reading this, I have no desire to watch the new updated version.
I have never read or watched anything about Ann of Green Gables. Doesn’t look like it’s going on the top of my to do list, either.
The original books are awesome, Stephanie… humorous, uplifting, a joy to read … I think that is why this New Beginning hurted so much.
I have the books and the movies. I did watch the tv show a few times, but it’s not the same. I loved the movies so much as a kid. It always made me want to go there. I’ve never been to Canada. For the longest time, I only wanted to go see where Anne lived. haha!
~Kelly
http://www.30somethingandsearching.today.com/
Anne of Green Gables had a huge impact on tourism, at least to PEI …. there are all sorts of tours and so on … even moreso right now, because of the 100th anniversary of the publication of the first novel.
Somehow, I don’t think this latest film is going to help their promotions any!
You know, taking something that’s good and screwing it up is the subject of yesterday’s blog for me.
In a way, I stole from you AND my sister. Damn, I’m good.