Fingersmith

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B-     Extras: C     Telefilm: B-

 

 

Here is another British telefilm based on a Sarah Waters work, whose previous success was Tipping The Velvet, reviewed elsewhere on this site.  Fingersmith (2005) is a much darker story that involves the titles thieves and how one of them is used by some “middle class” manipulators led by Rivers (Rupert Evans) to use a poor girl to defraud a rich one.  The twists here are the uses of lesbianism and mental hospitals to contribute to the manipulation.

 

This happens when Sue (Sally Hawkins) and Maud (Elaine Cassidy) get involved that intimately as Mr. Rivers schemes on his own.  Unlike the indulgences and distractions of Dangerous Liaisons, there is suspense here as to what exactly is going on.  Aisling Walsh directs the work well, though there is more brutality than expected throughout that teeters on exploitation in a way that does not necessarily mean it has a realistic edge.  There is trouble with keeping enough ironic distance form all this, but you will have to see for yourself, as saying anything more would give too much away.  The two-parter also stars Imelda Staunton and Charles Dance.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1/16 X 9 image was shot on tape by Simon Kossoff, B.S.C., which has the usual limits, but he brings some style to the production, which has good production design.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has Pro Logic surrounds and sound like a recent production.  Extras include a behind the scenes featurette that lasts about 12 minutes, stills, cast filmographies, and even character profiles.  This is suggested for mature audiences only.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo