Desperate Romantics

Quite by accident, I stumbled upon Desperate Romantics while looking for something else. It has led me on a journey to learn more of the PRB artists, with whom I was totally unfamiliar. The portrayals of Millais, Hunt and Rosetti, their lives and loves is touching, funny and illuminating, in terms of their struggles for fame and recognition. The Fred Walters character keeps it all together. The casting in DR is perfect. Peter Bowker's writing is great and provides so much humor, along with the more serious struggles. Aidan Turner's reaction to his first sexual encounter with Fannie, a prostitute, is priceless and makes me laugh just thinking of it. Jennie Jacques, in only her second role was perfect as Annie Miller. She clearly showed the dilemma young women faced during this time and her struggle to obtain a better life, if not with Hunt, then with another. Amy Manson, as the beautiful model, Lizzie Siddall, is wonderful in showing sweetness, strength, vulnerability and despair because of her love for Rosetti. Others will point out this is not historically accurate and I'm sure they're right, but I looked at it as pure entertainment, realistic fiction. Daniel Pemberton's music is a delight in setting the mood so well. This is not a series for young children given the amount of nudity, but, if you're looking for a story that will give you strong characters and many laughs, this is a great choice.

Some reviewers are taking things way too seriously. This is a fun, bawdy take on the life and loves of the Pre-Raphaelites. It's certainly not meant to be a piece of art scholarship. You see, there's this genre called historical FICTION. I almost turned it off in the first few minutes because I thought it going to cheesy but am so glad I didn't. It's funny, fast moving, well written, well acted, and infinitely watchable. But why oh why only one season??

Anybody watching the series expecting a realistic portrayal of the lives of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood will be disappointed however those just wanting an enjoyable romp with a good story that is well acted then this is just the thing. The characters were delightfully over the top without coming over as parodies.

The story follows the lives of artists Millais, Rossetti and Hunt along with their fictional friend Fred Walters as they recruit models Lizzie Siddal and Annie Miller and fall in love with them. The other main character is John Ruskin who supports their work.

While we do see some of their art the series was far more interested in their romantic entanglements which means there many sex scenes which means a fair amount of nudity... no strategically positioned sheets here. Another main theme is their quest to gain a patron who will enable them to become established.

From the moment it starts it is clear that this is going to be a romp as the music is as over the top that the story it goes with. Some people might not like this but I found it very jolly and suited to the story. The acting was fine throughout, I especially liked Amy Manson and Jennie Jacques's performances as Lizzie and Annie, I can see why the men in the story were besotted by their characters.

Expecting some kind of drama (I had read no reviews), I was puzzled for the first 15 minutes or so. Once I realized it was a farce I found it thoroughly enjoyable. I'm sure it has little to do with the reality of the people, time and place. But I don't really care. The writing is excellent and acting is, too. I've gotten plenty of good laughs out of it.

Desperate Romantics is a period drama set in 19th century London. It tells the story of the lives and loves of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. This six episode series is inspired by the non-fiction book "Desperate Romantics: The Private Lives of the Pre-Raphaelites" by Franny Moyle.

The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was founded in 1848 and consisted of a group of English painters, poets and critics. They defined themselves as a reform movement whose purpose was to return to creating art with abundant detail, intense colors and complex compositions. Although the series is inspired by the non-fiction book, this is not a historically accurate account of the artists lives.

The story starts with the brotherhood as hopeful unknown fringe artists and follows them as they become well respected and well compensated artists in demand. While there is little interjected on the actual painting done by the artists, the series main focus is on the personal relationships of the brotherhood. This is drama that does not take itself too seriously. Rather than linger on the tragedies it portrays, it keeps a steady current of passion, enthusiasm and ambition throughout each episode. The members of the brotherhood will stop at nothing to succeed in attaining their desires. They betray each other in small and large ways over and over again, but through it all, they cling to their dysfunctional friendships.

The exuberance of the young hopeful artists on a mission to change the world of art is contagious. As a viewer, I got caught up in the excitement of being on the verge of a revolution. The obvious rebel bad boys of their time, the brotherhood refuse to conduct themselves in a manner fitting polite society. Their personalities are volatile and unpredictable, and the artists are often prone to loud outbursts when they don't get their way. All this makes for interesting television. Relationships are full of passion, anger and urgency. The dialogue is clever. The series moves along at a quick pace and the musical score is a pithy composition that keeps the overall mood light.

Even though the focus is on the male artists, the lead female characters are not one-dimensional. They are strong women with their own ambitions. They stand their ground and refuse to be treated as subservient docile creatures used only for their beauty and companionship.

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. It made living like a starving artist look like a really good time and because of the lasting success of the brotherhood, it also seems like a noble pursuit.