"Small Island" is a two-part miniseries drama adapted for television, included in the BBC Masterpiece Classic Collection, based on a novel by the same title written by Andrea Levy.
“Small Island” is a BBC Masterpiece Theater presentation. The setting is the 1940s; during and after the World War II - Jamaica and London. The name of the main character is Hortense, an idealistic “proper” young Jamaican woman who dreams of living in England and she will fulfill her dream! It may take a little bit of conniving but … she will make it happen!
* Naomie Harris plays Hortense. She is something else!!
This actress player her part to the tee! Even though she is devious and scheming, and betrays her dear friend ... you know she doesn't really mean to be evil. She just wants to get to England!
If the name Naomie Harris sounds familiar, it should. She starred in the James Bond movie, “Skyfall” (2012). At the end of the movie, she finally formally introduced herself to Mr. Bond as “Miss Moneypenny”.
Here's the plot in a nutshell.
Hortense has a friend who has a fiancé and that fiancé is in the military and intends to take the friend, who will be his wife, with him when he goes to England. Uh huh. That was the original plan. But Hortense figured out a way to get the guy to ditch the friend and take her to England instead. Like I said: She is something else! :)
* David Oyelowo plays Gilbert, the fiancé, scratch that ex-fiancé … dot dot dash … bought and paid for husband of “convenience”.
David Oyelowo. That name sound familiar? It should. He was “Danny” in the popular BBC spook TV show, “MI-5” (2002 - 2011). Also chosen for the role of “Dr. Martin Luther King”, in the Oscar-nominated film “Selma” (2014) about the Civil Rights Movement in America.
“Small Island” is a love story and you will love all of the characters; the ones in the starring roles and the supporting roles. They are very realistic and you will feel like you're a part of their lives.
This miniseries is worthy of Masterpiece Classic productions. Authentic costumes, great scenery (on the island and in England), realistic and believable dialogue, stellar performances by Naomie Harris, David Oyelowo, Ruth Wilson, and Benedict Cumberbatch, and quality entertainment for a general audience. Andrea Levy, the author of the book by the same name, must have been pleased with this adaptation for the television viewing.
One word to describe this miniseries? Delightful!
Most memorable line? “Gilbert! I'm perishin' in this bed!”
Hortense dreams of England - Small Island - BBC
RELATED LINKS:
Before They Became Hollywood Stars - Watch Naomie Harris, David Oyelowo in 'Small Island' - SHADOW & ACT (Image credit)
Small Island - Black pride and British prejudice | The Independent
REVIEW: Small Island, National Theatre at Home – Love London Love Culture
NOTE: This is my original content which was published elsewhere on the web, but became unpublished when the site shut down. I have given it a new home here at Read.Cash in the hope that it will be well received. 😊
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