This 1980 Thames Television adaptation of Nancy Mitford's novels The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate revolves around three young upper-class British women during the 1920s and '30s, two of whom—Linda (Lucy Gutteridge) and Polly (Rosalyn Landor)—marry unwisely for love. But the third—Fanny (Isabelle Amyes), who also narrates—makes a more levelheaded choice of mate. While the trio of actresses are perfectly fine, the more memorable performances here are by Judi Dench as Fanny's Aunt Sadie, Michael Aldridge as Sadie's hilariously blustering husband; Michael Williams as Fanny's easygoing hypochondriac Uncle Davey; and Jean-Pierre Cassel as a debonair French duke. This version of Mitford's cheeky portrait of British aristocratic life between the wars isn't superior to the same-titled 2001 adaptation (VL Online-1/06), but is engaging in its own right. Recommended. (F. Swietek)
Love in a Cold Climate
Acorn, 3 discs, 405 min., not rated, DVD: $59.99 Volume 27, Issue 6
Love in a Cold Climate
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