I admit I had never heard of this TV movie until a few weeks ago, as it never arrived on Italian TV. However I managed to buy the British DVD and I must say I'm glad I did. It's set in 1870, but the similarities with our own age are staggering, you're going to laugh and shiver at the same time... Trollope's characters are simply hilarious and the acting is amazing. Such an ensemble is quite remarkable even for British TV. Suchet of course, who's nothing short of mephistophelic and truly mesmerizing. MacFayden is excellent too as the annoying fop. Shirley Henderson and Paloma Baeza are always fine. I've read many inane comments about Cillian Murphy being "miscast" or "not looking like a young engineer". I pray you, how a young engineer should look like? His character is a ward of a man who's 50, of course he's young. I don't think Murphy was chosen because of his pretty face, but because even at 24 he was a very accomplished actor. He brings innocence and integrity to Paul Montague, adding also a wild flash in his eyes that suggests a dangerous past. Yes he's young and delicate looking, but is this a fault? Do looks determine what roles should a great actor play? I think it's nonsense. Watch the movie, you won't regret it.
Review of The Way We Live Now
