Thursday, July 31, 2008

I finally get it!

Yes, my friends, you can call me a Crusader.  I have completely fallen under the spell of North & South.  Oh, Mr. Thornton.  He is all that is starchy and broody.  His mother? Fabulously judgmental.  Higgins? Earthy and real.  I'm not really sure what to say or how to say it and remain coherent.  I will degrade into a babbling fangirl.  OK.  Here is my attempt to list a few thoughts and favorite moments.

1)  Fist of Doom.  Yes.  Just... yes. 

2)  The scene when Margaret is leaving Thornton's home after saying goodbye (before leaving Milton.)  The framing of the shot is stunning.  The carriage in the courtyard, snow falling, camera behind Thornton framed in the open doorway... beautiful.  The expression on his face as he stood there saying "Look back."  Guh. 

3) The Kiss.  You know what I am talking about.  The hand on the side of the face is a "thing" for me.  Gets me every time.

4)  Higgins reaction to his daughters death.  He is such a strong man.  When he breaks down it is simply gut wrenching.

5) I LOVED the cinematography in the scene when Margaret goes to the mill and sees Thornton for the first time.  The cotton floating through the air gave it an almost magical quality.

6)  Thornton's sister was HORRID!  That is all.

7) I actually liked Higgins so much that I almost wished that he and Margaret would get together.  There was just something about him that was so compelling.  Also, if Margaret ended up with Higgins, Thornton and I could run off together and he could hold my face while WE kiss.


Like I said, not very coherent.  Let's just say North & South is now being added to my Amazon wish list.  This one needs to be added to my personal collection.

12 comments:

Bridget Locke said...

Whee! Another Crusader! Kristie J is going to have a cow! :)

I totally heart this movie. Now that you've seen this, you have to give Jane Eyre (with Tobey Stephens) a try. Angst and passion! Oh my word. Wah! Nowhere near as hot as Mr. Armitage, but wow. *fanning self*

Marg said...

She gets it! And so another Crusader signs up!

So glad that you enjoyed it!

Sarai said...

Another one really bit the dust!!! HA HA we knew you would fall. Welcome to the fold. Our meetings start like this...
Hi I'm Sarai (Hello Sarai) and I'm a North & South Addict. (ohhhh) I have watched North & South 15 times and it is currently getting re watched everytime another one of you joins the fold.

Tracy said...

Oh Kristie will be soooo happy! It's been years since I've seen N & S and she was telling me in SF that I WILL be watching it again! lol (she said it in the nicest possible way of course! :))

Kristie (J) said...

Kristie IS so happy!!!!! I'm about to leave to go to the RITA's, but I had to jump in here real quick and go

YYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS

sula said...

sooooo excellent! hurrah that you have joined the club. Mr. Thornton IS all that and a bag of chips. heh. You have listed the high points very nicely. I have nothing to add. Except...WHITE SHIRT!

Kristie (J) said...

I always thought Higgins and John's mother might make an interesting combo.
And now that I'm back and have more time..... I'm SO glad this lived up to your expectations and that I didn't steer you wrong. And I'm also glad you can see why we couldn't keep this absolute gem of a series to ourselves. Once one has seen it, they just HAVE to spread the word. That scene when John tells Margaret to look back is so heartbreaking isn't it. You see such emotion with barely a whispered word. And then his expression when Margaret is proposing giving him money for Marlborough Mills - the way he isn't looking down at her hands and they way she isn't looking at him. His eyes are just exploring her face in wonder!!! And then he puts his hand on hers. What a moment!!!

SJ said...

:D
If you haven't already, I recommend you take advantage of the special features on the dvd - interview with Richard, the extended proposal scene (there's only a bit they cut out of the final product, but it makes the whole scene flow so much better), the cast's thoughts on their experience,and yes, even the commentary.

Carolyn Crane said...

Hey Shannon! So cool you got to see this, and how you noticed the framing of scenes. I was so caught up, I barely noticed the cinematography, except the snowing cotton scene.

Stacy~ said...

It's fabulous, isn't it? I never get tired of this movie.

Hey Chicago girl, do you read Colleen Gleason? She's going to be at the Oak Brook Borders on Friday, the 15th from 7-8pm. If you're going, I'd love to meet you :) You can comment on my blog if you plan on going.

Carolyn Crane said...

Okay, come see what I did.

Hey Chicago girls! I'm jealous!

Carrie Lofty said...

If you dig the Higgins/Thornton combo, I humbly rec my musings on Thornton's relationship with the men of North & South. Not sexual, just masculine power. Kristie was kind enough to host my observations.

But I'm glad to see Fist of Doom caught on so well. LOVE it.