In this three-hour miniseries, Emily Mortimer stars as a young woman who gets "adopted" into her best friend's family while on holiday during boarding school. Her own family is in Singapore and she never sees them, so she takes on a new life in the upper crust with Katie Ryder Richardson and her family. Patriarch Peter O'Toole, matriarch Joanna Lumley, and brother Paul Bettany all accept Emily as dearly as if she were a blood relative, as do family friends and constant visitors George Asprey and Patrick Ryecart. Coming Home has all the elements of success: war drama, love triangles, death, pregnancies, melodrama, and pain. It takes place from the early 1930s through WWII and features a very likable heroine trying to find love and happiness. Americans might not understand how a family could abandon their daughter for years, but it was a common British practice to send young kids to boarding school and see them only during the holidays. If stationed abroad, the student instead spends time with a relative in closer proximity or a kind friend's family.
I'd love to reach the original novel, since the miniseries was so entertaining. Each of the characters came to life, even if they didn't have much screen time. Peter O'Toole, a marvelous actor, was only given one scene to show his acting chops - but that scene might be the one that sticks with you the most. He shaves his son's face, and the myriad of emotions he feels will make you reach for your handkerchief. Patrick Ryecart's character was so interesting, I'd love to learn more. Joanna Lumley's elegance made it seem like she really was mistress of the manor, and the camera crew asked if she'd agree to act as herself for television. What a graceful woman! And who wouldn't love to be the subject of George Asprey's longing looks?
As the lead, Emily had such determination and strength. I was proud of her time and again, as she refused to be a simpering female and stood up to her bullies. Her independence wasn't unrealistic for the time period, though, which I appreciated. She was simply a strong woman, who started off as a strong child. The first portion of the miniseries features her time at boarding school, and she's played by a thirteen-year-old Keira Knightley! Keira spends time with a fun (and also strong, whom she perhaps strives to emulate) aunt, Penelope Keith. Penelope's friend, David McCallum, harasses Keira - and her unusual intelligence puts her in a great position to fight back.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to an upsetting scene involving a child, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.
If you like WWII stories, definitely rent Coming Home. Don't get it confused with the Jane Fonda classic, and instead, grab a cozy blanket and settle in for three hours of great melodrama.
