“Anne of Green Gables” returns for its final installment of the planned trilogy with “Fire and Dew,” in which Canada’s famed literary orphan starts taking the first steps into adulthood. Having fully embedded herself with the Cuthberts at Green Gables, Anne Shirley (Ella Ballentine) leaves home to seek out better opportunities and higher learning in Charlottetown.
The adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel “Anne of Green Gables” was split into three chunks, which means the first movie was buoyed by Anne’s discovery of a new life filled with wonders, while the second followed her hilarious scrapes as she truly became part of the Avonlea community. Thus, the final movie carries the burden of concluding the story. That is reflected in how the energy feels dialed down, but it is also about Anne being more of an adult, and thus the fun of her mishaps and outlandish imagination are missing.
The adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel “Anne of Green Gables” was split into three chunks, which means the first movie was buoyed by Anne’s discovery of a new life filled with wonders, while the second followed her hilarious scrapes as she truly became part of the Avonlea community. Thus, the final movie carries the burden of concluding the story. That is reflected in how the energy feels dialed down, but it is also about Anne being more of an adult, and thus the fun of her mishaps and outlandish imagination are missing.
- 9/23/2018
- by Hanh Nguyen
- Indiewire
With Thanksgiving comes the return of Canada’s most famous literary orphan to PBS with the second “Anne of Gables” installment. “The Good Stars,” the second film in a trilogy, continues the adventures of poor orphan girl Anne Shirley (Ella Ballentine), who’s finally found a home with elderly couple Matthew (Martin Sheen) and Marilla Cuthbert (Sara Botsford) at Green Gables. When last we saw Anne, she had settled into her new home and made a bosom friend out of Diana (Julia Lalonde). Taking on the adolescent phase of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Edwardian novel series, “The Good Stars” parallels the growing pains that Anne herself is going through as she becomes a teenager.
Before delving into some of the film’s missteps though, a few positive notes for what is overall an enjoyable hour and a half spent on Prince Edward Island. We are happy to say that Anne...
Before delving into some of the film’s missteps though, a few positive notes for what is overall an enjoyable hour and a half spent on Prince Edward Island. We are happy to say that Anne...
- 11/23/2017
- by Hanh Nguyen
- Indiewire
Anne Shirley’s fake freckles have got to go.
Of all the faults in PBS’ “Anne of Green Gables,” these are the most glaring and, well, in your face. The spots stand out in stark contrast to actress Ella Ballentine’s clear complexion, and in each scene the viewer is often caught up marveling at the freckles’ uniformity instead of paying attention to the dialogue or action.
Read More: Rachel McAdams Reading You ‘Anne of Green Gables’ Is Your Fantasy Made Real — Listen
It’s a testament to Ballentine’s talents then that she is able to overcome those distractions and present a very charming, sprightly and chatty Anne Shirley, the literary orphan made famous in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s children’s novels. This ability is in keeping with the heroine herself, who is always melodramatically lamenting her red hair and plain looks but just can’t stop herself from...
Of all the faults in PBS’ “Anne of Green Gables,” these are the most glaring and, well, in your face. The spots stand out in stark contrast to actress Ella Ballentine’s clear complexion, and in each scene the viewer is often caught up marveling at the freckles’ uniformity instead of paying attention to the dialogue or action.
Read More: Rachel McAdams Reading You ‘Anne of Green Gables’ Is Your Fantasy Made Real — Listen
It’s a testament to Ballentine’s talents then that she is able to overcome those distractions and present a very charming, sprightly and chatty Anne Shirley, the literary orphan made famous in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s children’s novels. This ability is in keeping with the heroine herself, who is always melodramatically lamenting her red hair and plain looks but just can’t stop herself from...
- 11/23/2016
- by Hanh Nguyen
- Indiewire
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