p e n g u i n d e v i l

Easily one of the movie watching high-points of the year, Little Dorrit is a rags to riches story, and a riches to rags story. It is also a story of betrayal and secrets, but most of all it is the story of a young lady who is involved with everything going on, but aware of little of it. This young lady was born into the Marshalsea debtors prison, daughter to the Lord of the Marshalsea, and sister to both a conniving dancer and an irresponsible gadabout. Unlike the rest of her family, Amy Dorritt is a good soul who gallantly perseveres through her life taking care of her aging father. That is, until the charming Arthur Clennam appears on the scene. Arthur is a man returned from abroad where his father has died and he now comes to England bring that news to his mother. His mother, of course, is a dour and bitter woman who, in prime Dicken’s fashion, holds a secret that may involve wealth, paternity and lies. A secret that will involve a wide and intriguing cast of characters.

In fact, with these characters this was one of the best Dicken’s miniseries that I’ve seen, and one of the best historical dramas period. Little Dorrit has a great cast of characters, a great cast and an intricate and nasty plot.

As the plot advances, we find an evilly murderous Frenchman approach the secretive old lady… Of her secrets, he may know too much and will let nothing and no one prevent his hidden agenda. But the lady is attended by a loyal old servant who will strive to protect her and it is obvious from the start of their relationship that nothing good at alkl will come from it.

On the other side of the tracks, we have the Dorrit’s immersed in their poverty, arrogance and sinful ways, even though they are attended by the kind father and son team who man the door of the debtor’s prison. OPnce outside those doors, not all are so kind! The poor out there are lorded over by an evil landlord… Who hides his true self behind a grandfatherly and generous veneer, but lashes out at his tenants through his brutish rent collector. All of these people become immerssed in the drama that unfolds.

Around all of these questionable folks and their greedy activities, are two who are so good of heart and deed that one can barely stand the foulness that people attempt to perpetuate upon them… And there is also a love that may rise or fall, depending on whether or not the people involved ever realize that the love is even there.