In praise of Bleak House

And so, after a working week frustrated by narrow minded people in positions of authority and beset by technical problems which no one wants to solve, I came to the BBC’s adaptation of Bleak House. This has resurrected my faith in BBC drama. No other broadcaster could have done it, certainly not if huge ratings were the main criteria of success. It is quite quite brilliant.

Did you read some of the reviews when it started? From the first episode it has been consistently outstanding and yet some people panned it. AA Gill’s review in the Sunday Times of the opening episodes was frankly embarrassing. He obviously hadn’t read or understood the book; neither had he actually watched the programme properly. What a shame that a man who writes for a widely read national newspaper can be so blind to the genius of this production! I am sure that reveals much about him.

Is it useful to consider the story as a microcosm? Gillian Anderson as Lady Dedlock concealing her dark secret and hidden emotion behind those pursed lips is excellent. Timothy West as Sir Leicester carrying on oblivious to his wife’s deep feelings is inconspicuously amazing. The stunning Anna Maxwell Martin as Esther Summerson upon whose innocent beauty and care for others the story rests is breathtaking. I could go on about Guppy’s opportunism, Richard’s inability to focus and obsession with money, Tulkinghorn’s entrapment and casual cruelty, Snagby’s acquiescence…….

It is all there in the Charles Dickens’ book and has been intelligently re-presented in Andrew Davies’ adaptation for television. It doesn’t need to be ‘updated’ or ‘made accessible for a modern audience’. These are the people you meet in life. This is the way they behave. This is the essence of relationships. These are the very situations and circumstances in which we all find ourselves. Dickens’ has exposed us for what we are and what we do to each other.

Thank you to everyone involved in this production. It is a privilege to be able to watch it.