Daniel Deronda I've been watching (again) the fabulous BBC miniseries Daniel Deronda. Based on the George Eliot novel of the same name, and scripted by the brilliant Andrew Davies (of Pride and Prejudice '95 fame), Daniel Deronda concerns two very different individuals striving to find their place within the strict social structure of late nineteenth-century England.
Daniel (Hugh Dancy) is the noble but illegitimate adopted son of an English aristocrat. As such he can never inherit, and so must make his own way in the world. However, never having known his parents or his heritage, he lacks focus and a sense of purpose.
Gwendolen Harleth (Romola Garai) is a spoiled but impoverished young woman who has little thought of anything or anyone except her own material comforts and desires. She is a gambler who prides herself on detachment from others and her not so inconsiderable charms -- however, this self-assurance masks a girl terribly afraid of having her inner sense of unworthiness "found out" by the general public.
When Daniel and Gwendolen meet sparks fly. However, Gwendolen places a higher premium on material comforts. While Daniel attracts her, at the same time he makes her dreadfully uneasy -- he seems to see inside her very soul.
So she secures a marriage to the wealthy Henleigh Grandcourt (Hugh Bonneville) that promises to give her everything money can buy. (Aside: Which is completely stupid. Who would choose Hugh Bonneville over Hugh Dancy? Puh-leeze. No contest.) But Gwendolen soon discovers that the price of her longed-for riches is life with a oppressive monster of a man, and she fixes on Daniel as her rescuer. When even the solace of great wealth cannot assuage Gwendolen's unhappiness, she begins to realize that the most important quality one has -- what can really make or break your life -- is the quality of one's character.
Meanwhile, Daniel meets the young Jewish singer Mirah and appoints himself to be her sponsor into London society. He finds himself captivated by her, and she opens his eyes to the culture -- and prejudice -- that the Jewish people faced in European society. Through Mirah, Daniel discovers not only the higher calling his heart has longed for, but the mystery of his past.
I found Daniel Deronda fascinating for two reasons (okay, three reasons – but the simple fact that it’s a BBC production doesn’t really count, does it?  ): it’s a morality play/coming of age tale and a fascinating little glimpse into the history of the modern Zionist movement. Okay, and yes, it stars yet another one of my favorite actors -- Hugh Dancy, who I became *mildly* obsessed with after seeing him in a very underrated version of David Copperfield that aired on TNT, I think it was, several Christmases ago. Also, for any Horatio Hornblower fans out there who are obsessed with Archie (like the Loopy one  ), Jamie Bamber (who is now in Battlestar Galactica) appears in a supporting role as Daniel's best friend.
Jamie Bamber!!
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