Episode 4

Sensual, intoxicating visual experience for adults
Compulsory & addictive, it mimes froth of Victorian London Sts. Cinematography, costumes & sets force viewers deeper into its dark psychological story. The plot and writing are less than stellar. Lead characters portrayals leave one mesmerized by the despicable dearth and poverty of a Dickensian era. Catherine Cookson's poor and low-class tales come to mine too. Don't expect glamor and Victorian gaiety, but every form of crime and dereliction known of the time, 1874. No sympathy, it's lost in strong crass depictions that leave little to imagine. Mad, cunning women are played so well the viewer begins to hate, not adore these characters. Yet it's a mini-series you'll love hating.

The camera's eye, focused on the disgust of the dirty streets and rooms, is filmed so cunningly it resembles Impressionism art done with dark color. Not a love story, but debauchery glistening from mud, vomit, blood and ale. Stunning visuals obligate viewing. Romola Garai (Emma; Amazing Grace) turns...

Glorious Misery: A Relentlessly Downbeat Tale Of Madness, Obsession, And Betrayal
The four part British production "The Crimson Petal and The White" showcases a world with little hope and much depravity. And yet, it revels in this exquisite misery! It is so bleak and so dark, in fact, it is sure to turn off certain viewers. But its willingness to push into this unpleasantness (and beyond) is just what makes this miniseries so compelling and so very different. It is a masterful presentation, to be sure, recreating a London of the 1870's with rich period detail in both costuming and sets. But this is no staid and refined period piece. It is explicit and graphic in depicting the underbelly of the city. Set partly in the streets and the brothels of London and partly in the realm of the aristocracy, "The Crimson Petal and The White" tells the story of one prostitute's efforts to bridge this gap by any means necessary. And what she finds as she moves toward better conditions are every bit as alarming and disturbing as what is shown on the mean streets! Really, there is...

Unexpectedly addictive
I won't summarize the story, as it has been done perfectly by several fellow reviewers. I will say that this was a very interesting and absorbing series. When I started, I thought it would be simply too bleak, an attempt at Dickens or so, but after a bit I had to know what would happen. You begin to care about Sugar is is much more than the strangely aloof girl she fist appears as. I won't spoil the end for anyone, but it left me wishing for an epilogue of sorts, the only slightly unsatisfying part, but I suppose it stayed quite true to the book. The way it was filmed, the colors of costumes and the set was excellent and created the perfect atmosphere for every scene. The acting, by everyone, especially the very versatile Garai, was top notch and deserving of some award or other. Overall it is absolutely worth the four hours:)

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