Monday, January 24, 2005
Fantastic Film: Tipping the Velvet
The book, Tipping the Velvet, by Sarah Waters is amazing. It has remained as one of my all-time favorite books since I read it 5 years ago. Amazingly, the BBC recently turned this novel into a film.
I had my doubts. The first third of this novel is more divine than the finest chocolate, more sensual and erotic than most sex (well, except with my sweetheart C), and more passionate and exciting than the most thrilling roller coaster ride. And I knew there would be no way the film could capture the sentiments of first love the way that Sarah Waters laid it onto paper in her book. And I was right. Although the film was definitely amazing, it couldn't top that first third of the book.
Now I don't know if it's the difference between the novel and the film or if the difference is between me now and the me of five years ago when I read Tipping the Velvet. But in any case, the remaining two thirds of this film were exquisite.
The tale, in case you are unaware, is of a woman who grew up in a sea shanty of a town. A more worldly woman comes to town performing as a man for the town's entertainment. And the oyster girl, though she's never had feelings for a woman before, falls for the entertainer.
The book and the movie then go on to tell of the sea shanty girl's heartbreak when the entertainer marries a man. The oyster girl winds up working as a male hustler briefly before going through several girlfriends and then she finally falls in love again at the end of the novel and film.
When I read the novel, I found the ending too easy and unbelievable. I don't want to give anything more away in case you see the movie (or read the book which I'd most highly recommend). But I think that only now, feeling so much love for C and feeling so loved and supported by her, does that ending finally make sense.
Sorry to be so gushy. I suppose it's one of *those* movies. What do straight folk call them? Date movies, right? Perhaps it's the lesbian equivalent. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a happy ending.
I had my doubts. The first third of this novel is more divine than the finest chocolate, more sensual and erotic than most sex (well, except with my sweetheart C), and more passionate and exciting than the most thrilling roller coaster ride. And I knew there would be no way the film could capture the sentiments of first love the way that Sarah Waters laid it onto paper in her book. And I was right. Although the film was definitely amazing, it couldn't top that first third of the book.
Now I don't know if it's the difference between the novel and the film or if the difference is between me now and the me of five years ago when I read Tipping the Velvet. But in any case, the remaining two thirds of this film were exquisite.
The tale, in case you are unaware, is of a woman who grew up in a sea shanty of a town. A more worldly woman comes to town performing as a man for the town's entertainment. And the oyster girl, though she's never had feelings for a woman before, falls for the entertainer.
The book and the movie then go on to tell of the sea shanty girl's heartbreak when the entertainer marries a man. The oyster girl winds up working as a male hustler briefly before going through several girlfriends and then she finally falls in love again at the end of the novel and film.
When I read the novel, I found the ending too easy and unbelievable. I don't want to give anything more away in case you see the movie (or read the book which I'd most highly recommend). But I think that only now, feeling so much love for C and feeling so loved and supported by her, does that ending finally make sense.
Sorry to be so gushy. I suppose it's one of *those* movies. What do straight folk call them? Date movies, right? Perhaps it's the lesbian equivalent. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a happy ending.
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