rsoonsa Review of The Clandestine Marriage

The Clandestine Marriage (1998)

Contemporary sensibilities prove an anchor to a classic story

[2/10 · 27 December 2000]

The Clandestine Marriage, a highly entertaining drama published in 1766 by Colman and Garrick, and still performed, is the source of a stolen scenario which fails to honor the play. The film is most damaged by an excess of cinematic "business" which detracts from the adequately complicated but sprightly original, including some rather tasteless subplots. Without doubt the location (an estate in Gloucestershire), production design, and costumers cannot be faulted, as all are splendid; however, they are unescorted by the direction, most of the acting, and the cinematography, which latter quaintly features plethoric closeups, serving only to slow the proceedings - hardly appropriate for a well-made comedy. Less than ideal casting of many of the roles is another element which spoils the production's chances of success: Joan Collins, in particular, is more grotesque than usual, and her bleating is virtually unintelligible, as well.