The Vintner's Luck...

I have said before that one of my favourite novels is The Vintner's Luck by Elizabeth Knox. It's a beautifully written historical fantasy about a 19th-century Frenchman named Sobran, and his relationships with his family, his patron, and an angel named Xas.

Though the story is told through Sobran's eyes, I remember it as very much Xas's story.

There's always a danger in seeing a movie based on a much-loved book. I was prepared for that. And, truthfully, I quite enjoyed the movie, though I was baffled by the cinematic choices. Instead of Xas as being the central core of the story, the centre of gravity shifts to Sobran and his wines. Instead of being about a man and an angel, it's about wine-growing. The trailer at this site gives a true picture of the movie: a lot about a peasant wine-grower and his pretty wife, not so much about sexy angels.

Which took a the magic out of it. (I'll cut here for spoilers.) ( Even Xas's big revelation... )

Things I most liked about the movie:

1. It takes seriously the passion for grape-growing and wines - the sensual wine themes are superb
   
2. Keisha Castle-Hughes is delightful as Celeste
   
3. The relationship between Sobran and the Baroness is beautifully depicted
   
4. Gaspard Ulliel as Xas has a lovely smile (and dimple); and an angelic name.
   

Monday...

Watched:

1. Human Target 1x09: I don't much like this show (though I like the premise), and I certainly don't like Mark Valley, who plays the lead, but I watched this episode because Peter Wingfield was in it - quite possibly my favourite actor of all time. As the villain, of course. And Grace Park, whom I adored in Battlestar Galactica. How I would love Human Target, if Peter Wingfield played Christopher Chance, instead of some random villain! And I noticed that the ending was incredibly slashy - if only the guys were remotely attractive.
   
2. Wonderfalls 1x01 - kind of cute and quirky; I wasn't charmed at first (and it took me a while to come to like the protagonist), but it won me over by the end.
   
3. Chancer 1x01 - The young Clive Owen was delectable, but I didn't much enjoy the story.
   
4. Castle 2x17, "Tick, Tick, Tick..." Loved it as always. Castle re Kate Becket: "Aside from my second wife, this is the most sexless relationship I've ever been in." I also love him telling her that Kate Beckinsale should pay Nikki Heat in the movie version...
   
5. The Vintner's Luck; my comments are here.
   
6. La Danse, which maaseru recorded from PBS. But it went too late, so we'll watch the ending another time.