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Product Description
Set in 1874, Affinity tells the story of a bored young single woman who becomes a visitor in a female prison and becomes obsessed with a prisoner with horrendous repercussions.
Product Description
Based on the novel by Sarah Waters this acclaimed film is set in 1874, in and around the women's prison at Millbank in Victorian London.
A grieving upper class woman becomes a "Lady Visitor" at Millbank prison, hoping to escape her troubles and be a guiding figure in the lives of the female prisoners. Of all her friendships with prisoners, she is most fascinated by Selina - a medium.
Part eerie compelling ghost story, part poignant love story, it brings to life a twilight world of seances, shadows, unruly spirits and unseemly passions creating a powerful romantic mystery which will keep you guessing right to the startling conclusion.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This movie does a major disservice to the book. Affinity is my favourite of Walters' novels and I really couldn't stand this movie. It's clumsy and awkward, the relationship between Margaret and Selina isn't fleshed out at all so you can't understand why Margaret does what she does for Selina.
I liked the atmosphere of the prison, it was filmed at a great location (or set), but that is about the only positive thing I can say about this movie. Read the book instead!
I liked the atmosphere of the prison, it was filmed at a great location (or set), but that is about the only positive thing I can say about this movie. Read the book instead!
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
AFFINITY is one of my favourite books - it is definitely my favourite by Waters - and so I was thrilled when I learnt that it was going to be adapted into a drama for T.V. Perhaps because of how much I like the novel, I have to admit I was slightly worried about watching the adaptation - having read the book, I had certain hopes and expectations for any kind of production of AFFINITY. However, I can happily say that I need not have worried.
The story is about Margaret, a young woman in Victorian England who has recently lost her father. As a way of escaping her sorrows, she volunteers to visit the female prisoners of Millbank prison, to become a confidante for them. Upon her first visit, she comes across one prisoner who seems different to the others; there is a calmness about her, and in her hands she is holding a perfect violet. This prisoner, Selina Dawes, intrigues Margaret, especially when she learns she calls herself a medium, and so she begins to visit her regularly. As they become closer, the tension builds. Selina has influences on Margaret that she could not have forseen. And she becomes convinced that their souls have an affinity for each other.
That is all of the plot I shall give away. What I loved about this adaptation is that, to a large degree, the atmosphere that Waters creates in the novel remains. The way that you are able to see each woman as being in her own prison is very well done, making you realise that there are more ways to trap a person than just with bars and metal. The gradual development of their relationship is also dealt with well. Rather than being gratuitous, there is a real sense of sensuality; a tamed desire that is also bound by walls of a different kind.... Read more ›
The story is about Margaret, a young woman in Victorian England who has recently lost her father. As a way of escaping her sorrows, she volunteers to visit the female prisoners of Millbank prison, to become a confidante for them. Upon her first visit, she comes across one prisoner who seems different to the others; there is a calmness about her, and in her hands she is holding a perfect violet. This prisoner, Selina Dawes, intrigues Margaret, especially when she learns she calls herself a medium, and so she begins to visit her regularly. As they become closer, the tension builds. Selina has influences on Margaret that she could not have forseen. And she becomes convinced that their souls have an affinity for each other.
That is all of the plot I shall give away. What I loved about this adaptation is that, to a large degree, the atmosphere that Waters creates in the novel remains. The way that you are able to see each woman as being in her own prison is very well done, making you realise that there are more ways to trap a person than just with bars and metal. The gradual development of their relationship is also dealt with well. Rather than being gratuitous, there is a real sense of sensuality; a tamed desire that is also bound by walls of a different kind.... Read more ›
40 of 46 people found the following review helpful
By MarkC
Format:DVD
I was lucky enough to see a copy of this superb drama. If you've read the book by Sarah Waters than you wont be dissapointed by this amazing adaptation from Andrew Davis.
For me this is the probably the best verison of a Sarah Waters novel to date.
If you haven't read the book, then you've in for treat as this has one of the best twists i've seen for years.
For me this is the probably the best verison of a Sarah Waters novel to date.
If you haven't read the book, then you've in for treat as this has one of the best twists i've seen for years.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Rowan
Format:DVD
Apart from the costume and set design which was quite impressive, there were a number of problems with this adaptation which i didn't like.
One, the character of Selina was not nearly as mysterious enough. In the book she is meant to keep us guessing and appear very secretive in both her speech and movement. Instead she is quite over emotional, letting all her feelings come flooding out in a torrent mainly to save on time. It just felt wrong.
Two. Characters and scenes were completely invented, like the so called "Theo" bloke acting as the needy boyfriend who effectively tried to rape her. The sister Priscilla is completely non existent, and the part when Margeret is in the cell for the last time, and they kiss and Selina says "sorry"...IT DOES NOT HAPPEN!
Three...and finally, just the general length made the film have to speedily rush through everything so we didn't get to see some parts that are integeral to the book, the characters did not get a long enough chance to connect and as a result the relationship felt hollow.
Sorry but I really wanted to enjoy this film and found it very much lacking in most aspects.
One, the character of Selina was not nearly as mysterious enough. In the book she is meant to keep us guessing and appear very secretive in both her speech and movement. Instead she is quite over emotional, letting all her feelings come flooding out in a torrent mainly to save on time. It just felt wrong.
Two. Characters and scenes were completely invented, like the so called "Theo" bloke acting as the needy boyfriend who effectively tried to rape her. The sister Priscilla is completely non existent, and the part when Margeret is in the cell for the last time, and they kiss and Selina says "sorry"...IT DOES NOT HAPPEN!
Three...and finally, just the general length made the film have to speedily rush through everything so we didn't get to see some parts that are integeral to the book, the characters did not get a long enough chance to connect and as a result the relationship felt hollow.
Sorry but I really wanted to enjoy this film and found it very much lacking in most aspects.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By T. Kueth
Format:DVD
I cut it short: DO NOT BUY THIS DVD! If you read the book you will be terribly disappointed.
I read "Fingersmith" and "Tipping the Velvet" and own both BBC Movies and am very happy with those. What the director and screenwriter did with this book is plain murder.
Why?
- The cuts of the scenes are terrible
- Half of the book is missing
- Characters like the little sister Pris have magically disappeared
- Characters like a strange wanna-be husband for Margaret have appeared
- The camera handling in some scenes is shaky and difficult to look at
- Complete scenes are just plainly invented and have never been in the book
I personally believe the stupidest thing in the whole movie is this Theoful or what's his name who wants to marry Margaret nowhere in the whole book you read about this guy. My favorite is also when Margaret - at least in the book - shares the darks with Selina. The closeness between the two women in the book is breathtaking. In the movie the scene is dropped and replaced by Theo trying to rape Margaret in her room. Please! Is that a sad attempt to justify Margarets feelings towards women? As if to say, men are all pigs and want to hurt her so she is better of loving women!
I believe that book had better remained untouched instead of trying to squeeze such a subtly unfolding story of love, deceipt and longing into 93 lousy minutes.
Not even the suitable actresses can save this story.
Sorry but One star is still too much for this!
I read "Fingersmith" and "Tipping the Velvet" and own both BBC Movies and am very happy with those. What the director and screenwriter did with this book is plain murder.
Why?
- The cuts of the scenes are terrible
- Half of the book is missing
- Characters like the little sister Pris have magically disappeared
- Characters like a strange wanna-be husband for Margaret have appeared
- The camera handling in some scenes is shaky and difficult to look at
- Complete scenes are just plainly invented and have never been in the book
I personally believe the stupidest thing in the whole movie is this Theoful or what's his name who wants to marry Margaret nowhere in the whole book you read about this guy. My favorite is also when Margaret - at least in the book - shares the darks with Selina. The closeness between the two women in the book is breathtaking. In the movie the scene is dropped and replaced by Theo trying to rape Margaret in her room. Please! Is that a sad attempt to justify Margarets feelings towards women? As if to say, men are all pigs and want to hurt her so she is better of loving women!
I believe that book had better remained untouched instead of trying to squeeze such a subtly unfolding story of love, deceipt and longing into 93 lousy minutes.
Not even the suitable actresses can save this story.
Sorry but One star is still too much for this!
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3.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
Amazing and surprising film - Beautifully done, great sets and great actors.
Anyone who enjoys this film should also read the novel by Sarah Waters, or her other novels and... Read more
Anyone who enjoys this film should also read the novel by Sarah Waters, or her other novels and... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Simone
1.0 out of 5 stars
Rubbish Film
I have not read the novel Affinity so cannot compare it to the film, but being a big fan of Tipping the Velvet & Fingersmith, I was hugely disappointed with this adaptation. Read more
Published on 13 Jun 2010 by T. Ryan
3.0 out of 5 stars
Slow
I found this to be really slow to get into, disappointing after watching Fingersmith, in fact i fell asleep half way through which is something i never do! Read more
Published on 21 April 2010 by V. Gower
3.0 out of 5 stars
affinity
would not recommend as a buy.... a little bit out there. Was expecting it to be like Sarah Waters other stuff but I was disappointed.
Published on 3 Nov 2009 by em
2.0 out of 5 stars
Affinity Review
Acting was quite good, but I was expecting a lot more from the movie after watching tipping the velvet. Read more
Published on 16 Sep 2009 by Kaz
2.0 out of 5 stars
Average
For me Sarah Waters is one of the best British writers around. The likes of Fingersmith and Tipping the velvet, are the best adaptations I have seen on film. Read more
Published on 14 Sep 2009 by Pearce
3.0 out of 5 stars
good but could of been better.
the book affinity is way better than the film it falls behind fingersmith and tipping the velvet.
Published on 24 May 2009 by Ms. Rebecca J. Connelly
5.0 out of 5 stars
At Last
A sophisticted adaptation of a Sarah Waters novel. This is the best one so far, a long way from the incredibly dull Tipping the velvet to the slightly more intriuging Fingersmith. Read more
Published on 21 Jan 2009 by Beatnik
2.0 out of 5 stars
Affinity - So much potential so little substance
I was very dissappointed with the screenplay. It lacked the passion and closeness between the two main characters that the screen writers successfully brought to both Tipping the... Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2008 by H. Coatsworth
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