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February 4, 2007: The Ruby in the Smoke
Masterpiece caters again to its teen viewership (numbering as high as three, no doubt) with the first in Philip Pullman’s celebrated Sally Lockhart mystery series, in which the heroine in question finds herself in receipt of some very cryptic messages, as well as some very uncryptic threats on her life, after her father is reported drowned in the East Indies. Set in 1874, Sally was raised very unconventionally for a Victorian girl: She always carries a pistol, is an expert marksman and in lieu of the standard parlor-based accomplishments of a woman of her era, she instead is skilled in accounting, marketing and stock trading. So, needless to say, Sally is a girl who can take care of herself.
But for all her nontraditional distinctions, this 16-year-old is actually pretty soft-spoken. Played by Billie Piper of Doctor Who fame, the honey-haired, large-eyed doe spends most of the story puzzling through bookkeeping quandaries, and not a whole lot of time actually speaking. Her story on film strays from the book in that it opens with a narration in heavy cockney by Jim, the rough-and-ready clerk who works at the shipping agency co-owned by Sally’s late father. Jim meets Sally when she goes to her father’s former business partner to ask about a mysterious letter she’s received. But when she shares the contents of this letter with her father’s coworker, the man literally dies of fright. Sally is then left on her own to figure out the meaning of the letter, the circumstances of her father’s death, the whereabouts and origins of the mystical ruby of Agrapur, what role (if any) her father had in an Indian mutiny some 15 years earlier, what the dreaded Seven Blessings are, and why in the world some old lady named Mrs. Holland would be trying to kill her. It’s quite a yarn for such a little girl.
She meets some friends along the way to help her out, though. There’s Jim, for one, but also the handsome and charming photographer Frederick Garland (played by Jude Law look-alike J.J. Feild) and his bohemian actress sister, Rosa. There’s also one tattered-and-torn young sailor, a Matthew Bedwell, who has a message for Sally from her father’s deathbed, but who’s having some trouble delivering it due to his unfortunate opium addiction. He’s being held in a makeshift opium den by the deliciously and thoroughly evil Mrs. Holland, who feeds Bedwell just enough opium to keep him muttering aloud and dropping clues about Sally’s father’s death, the terrifying pirate Ah Ling and the whereabouts of that world-famous, potato-size ruby.
What’s so great about this story is its proto-feminist stance about traditional gender roles (written by a man, no less!), and its totally precise image of the filth and poverty of Victorian London. Pullman’s unsullied admiration for bohemian, socialist values (as seen in the adorable portrayal of the clumsy but clever Garland family) and his searing tirade against the government-sponsored opium trade of the 19th century make this story one of a kind considering the age it is set in. Its only flaw compared to the book is its total gloss-over of Sally’s remarkable business acumen. In the book, she buys and sells stocks with her inheritance from her father, and she also comes up with a brilliant new business idea for Frederick’s photography studio. This story line is almost entirely neglected in the movie adaptation, much to its detriment, because it leaves Sally looking somewhat colorless and ineffectual. She is brave and strong-willed, certainly, but she relies on her friends to do most of the mystery-solving. Still, as a remark on the senselessness of historical women’s roles (especially seen in Mrs. Holland’s tale of past mistreatment because of her sexual conduct) — and as one ripping good mystery set in Victorian London, the Malaysian high seas and dank English opium dens — this story can’t be beat.
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Feb 5, 2007 8:09 AM
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This isn't a comment about the story, but more about the production. I've noticed that I've had increasing trouble actually seeing what's going on in Masterpiece Theater. Tonight was the worst yet. Maybe it's because I don't watch in HD, but I can barely discern anything in the "dark" scenes. While I appreciate the reality behind not lighting much - as it would have been in the 19th century - I feel like I'm missing so much of the story when I can't see what the actors are doing.
That said, I still watch every one, and enjoyed this one, though not as much as usual. The ommission of much of Sally's self-sufficiency made the development of her "family" seem needy and slightly unrealistic.
Thanks for the great review
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Feb 5, 2007 8:28 AM
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AllieD - I agree wholeheartedly with your comment regarding the production. Seriously! What is the point of filming a story if you're going to light it (or not!) in such a way that the viewer can't see a darn thing? This happens over and over again with the new installments of Masterpiece Theatre, a series which used to be appointment television for me. Last night, I switched channels in disgust less than 30 minutes after it began. "Ruby in the smoke" indeed!
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Feb 5, 2007 10:46 AM
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I recorded last night's episode on the DVR so I hope to watch it tonight. I will let you know if I had the same issue concerning lighting. I'm looking forward to seeing it because I just ordered the book for my niece. Naturally, I will have to read it before giving it to her.
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Feb 5, 2007 2:12 PM
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I didn't notice anything wrong with the lighting when I watched it, thought it was just fine. I know people have been comenting about it for awhile, but I've never noticed anything wrong, to my eye anyway.
I enjoyed this so much more then I thought I would. I'm looking forward to the second movie, which will probably get next year.
Mrs. Holland, she stold the show for sure. I actually liked Billie Piper in this, not to much of a fan of hers.
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Feb 6, 2007 7:53 AM
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I did get to watch the show last night and enjoyed it. Michelle, once again I had to agree with your review. I was happy to see a young Victorian woman taking risks unusual for the time but would have liked to seen a bit more energy in Billie Piper's performance but on the whole I enjoyed the show. At the end, I even felt a little bit sorry for the evil Mrs. Holland. I do hope that MT will broadcast adaptations of books two and three. I did not seem to have any problem with the lighting and enjoyed seeing the dark side of London. For those of you who are having issues with the lighting, try adjusting the contrast and brightness levels for the picture. Hopefully that will help for next week's production of "Dracula".
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Feb 6, 2007 10:17 AM
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