Anyone who has read this blog will know I'm a big fan of la Taylor. Last night I finally got round to watching the BBC 4 production Taylor and Burton which recounts the story of the couple during their run together in Noel Cowards Private Lives.
Since Liz died there have been many attempts to dramatize her life and relationships - most notoriously in the Lindsay Lohan car crash Liz and Dick. However with the always fantastic Helena Bonham Carter and Dominic West in the title roles this was clearly going to be of a different calibre.
I thought that this was a truly enjoyable watch, beautifully filmed and very well written. However, despite their considerable talents Bonham Carter and West fail to consistently bring the power of this pairing to life. There are a few moments of brilliance - when Burton and Taylor have dinner together, there is real chemistry between them and Elizabeth suddenly comes to life in a passionate out burst that is pure Taylor. The brilliant script makes this final hoorah of the great pairing truly touching. The age old adage 'can't live with them, can't live without them' rings eternally true here as Elizabeth tries and fails to reclaim and then let go of her true love.
They also look much better than the real Burton and Taylor who were definitely showing the effects of their years of excess by the time they took to the stage in Private Lives as can be seen in the photo above.
This was a great production and showcases what the BBC does best. Its a crime that funding for drama like this has been cut and yet there is money for Eastenders and Bargain Hunt! I'd like a refund on my TV licence please.
Since Liz died there have been many attempts to dramatize her life and relationships - most notoriously in the Lindsay Lohan car crash Liz and Dick. However with the always fantastic Helena Bonham Carter and Dominic West in the title roles this was clearly going to be of a different calibre.
I thought that this was a truly enjoyable watch, beautifully filmed and very well written. However, despite their considerable talents Bonham Carter and West fail to consistently bring the power of this pairing to life. There are a few moments of brilliance - when Burton and Taylor have dinner together, there is real chemistry between them and Elizabeth suddenly comes to life in a passionate out burst that is pure Taylor. The brilliant script makes this final hoorah of the great pairing truly touching. The age old adage 'can't live with them, can't live without them' rings eternally true here as Elizabeth tries and fails to reclaim and then let go of her true love.
They also look much better than the real Burton and Taylor who were definitely showing the effects of their years of excess by the time they took to the stage in Private Lives as can be seen in the photo above.
This was a great production and showcases what the BBC does best. Its a crime that funding for drama like this has been cut and yet there is money for Eastenders and Bargain Hunt! I'd like a refund on my TV licence please.
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