Word: kingsley
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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This may seem to contradict the main thesis, but Gay is not one of those little minds bothered by the hobgoblins of foolish consistency. And the Victorians were themselves contradictory. What other age could produce such an exemplar of pious perversity as Charles Kingsley, author of The Water-Babies and chaplain to Queen Victoria herself? Even before he became engaged to young Fanny Grenfell, Kingsley wrote letters to her that were full of erotic imaginings: "A wanton tongue--yet chaste & holy, stole between my lips! What were you doing?--You were secretly kissing me." Yet whenever he felt that...
Fanny had a modicum of common sense. "I will entreat you to hurry our wedding day," she wrote. But when her family finally approved the match, Kingsley had a new idea. "I wish to shew you & my God that I have gained purity & self-control . . . and therefore when we are married, will you consent to remain for the first month in my arms a virgin bride, a sister only?" Well, somehow they managed to conceive four children and live together in Victorian happiness for more than 30 years...
William Snow (Kingsley) and Neaera Duncan (Jackson) are turtle lovers, particular admirers of three large sea turtles housed in a small display case at the nearby zoo. They think that the turtles, denizens of their cramped quarters for nearly 30 years, should be freed and released to their more comfortable natural home...
...movie features some beautiful shots of turtles gliding freely through the open see, smiling at their newly-found freedom. There is also the acting of stars Jackson and Kingsley which gives the film whatever focus it does possess. Along with their supporting cast, they spice up the movie with their oddball humor. When asked if he thought he had been a good father, Snow replies, "My daughters thought so, but they were only children at the time...
Even though Turtle Diary is beautiful to watch--not to mention listen to--and the performances of Kingsley and Jackson are, as usual, outstanding, there seems to be something missing, or perhaps, with such subtle direction, the point is tough to grasp. Whatever the problem is, when you leave the theater you'll probably wonder what just happened while uttering the word "turtle" in the best Glenda Jackson imitation you can muster...