'Anne of Green Gables: Fire & Dew'
(Ella Ballentine, Sara Botsford, Martin Sheen, et al / DVD / G / (2017) 2018 / PBS)
Overview: Anne Shirley earns a spot at Queen's College in far-off Charlottetown, but when Anne departs, Matthew and Marilla feel a sudden emptiness in their lives. And in Charlottetown, Anne is overwhelmed by loneliness, city life, and the pressure of intense competition - especially from Gilbert Blythe.
DVD Verdict: I'll admit it - I'm a huge fan of the Anne series of books. I fell in love with this book when I was 9 and was, initially, disappointed with the Kevin Sullivan rendering of 1985 because adaptations are rarely as good as that which unfolds through the unfettered lens of our own imaginations.
Eventually, I came to appreciate the TV mini series and have a soft spot in my heart for the translation from page to screen which Sullivan, et al accomplished.
Having enjoyed 'Anne of Green Gables: The Good Stars,' I was very excited to sit down and watch this follow up (if you will), 'Fire & Dew.'
With guidance and encouragement from her spirited new teacher Miss Stacy, Anne Shirley commits to her studies and earns a spot at Queen's College in far-off Charlottetown.
But when Anne departs for Queen's, Matthew and Marilla feel a sudden emptiness in their lives, especially when Marilla's failing eyesight and Matthew's poor health make life more difficult on the farm.
And in Charlottetown, Anne is overwhelmed by loneliness, city life, and the pressure of intense competition - especially from Gilbert Blythe.
Facing difficult choices, will Anne find that the dark cloud over her life does have a silver lining?
Ella Ballentine does a superb performance bringing her character to life. She as well can lead an audience in any direction and not disappoint in any way or form.
A human firecracker in the making and an array of feelings that will bring you back to childhood with a convincing connection, that's for sure.
Sarah Botsford did an awesome job with her character. Her ways of motherhood and friend locks you into her character and takes you for a ride that will for sure not only get you thinking; but I actually was hoping for acceptance from her character as if she was my own mother.
Martin Sheen's character blended in so naturally that you forget while watching that it's a movie. He brought a as he put it a kindred spirit to the audience.
If there were ever a dad figure you would want to grow up with, it would be with Matthew Cuthbert. Thus, 'Fire & Dew' more than works as a stand alone and as a sequel. Enjoy ... I know I did! This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.78:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs.
www.PBS.org