Act of Will
Act of Will is a four-part 1989 British television serial directed by Don Sharp, based on Barbara Taylor Bradford's 1986 novel of the same name. Three beautiful women – grandmother, mother and daughter – struggle bravely through five eventful decades of hidden love, high drama and sudden death. From 1926 to present day, from the Yorkshire Dales to London, Paris and New York, how each woman commits an act of will that changes their life and world.
Insights
Plot Summary
In 19th-century England, a young woman navigates societal expectations and her own desires when she becomes entangled with a passionate, yet married, artist. As their forbidden relationship deepens, she must confront the consequences of her choices and the constraints of her era. The story explores themes of love, betrayal, and the struggle for personal freedom against a backdrop of social hierarchy.
Critical Reception
Act of Will received a mixed to positive reception upon its release. Critics often praised the performances, particularly Jacqueline Bisset's, and the film's period atmosphere. However, some found the pacing to be slow and the plot somewhat predictable, typical of many historical romance dramas of the era.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for Jacqueline Bisset's compelling performance.
- Appreciated for its faithful depiction of Victorian-era England.
- Criticized by some for a slow narrative pace.
Google audience: Audience reception data for 'Act of Will' is not readily available through common platforms like Google Reviews, making it difficult to summarize specific user likes or dislikes.
Fun Fact
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Estelle Thompson.
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