Basil (1998)

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Victorian gothic mystery written and Directed by Radha Bharadwaj, starring Oscar winner Jared Leto, Golden Globe winner Christian Slater, Sir Derek Jacobi and Claire Forlani. Based on a novel by Wilkie Collins.- source

Written, Produced and Directed by Radha Bharadwaj

Radha Bharadwaj is an Indian filmmaker, film producer and screenwriter. She moved to the United States in her late teens to study film. Bharadwaj's screenwriting and directing feature debut is Closet Land. Wikipedia

Statement on Basil

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Radha Bharadwaj  loosely based this on the novel of the same title by Wilkie Collins.  Even if this is just loosely based on the said novel, I agree with her statement: I still believe that despite my inventions and innovations, the screenplay for Basil remains true to the spirit of the book that Wilkie Collins wrote.

Her screenplay transported me to the Victorian era and the ones who gave life to the characters made us relate to them or at the very least, sort of understand their inner turmoils and pain.

Claire Forlani played her part, Julia Sherwin, so well.  You would tend to hate her, but she would grow on you.

Christian Slater plays Basil's mate...his only friend, besides his surrogate sister, Clara(Rachel Pickup), John Mannion.  He was barely thirty years old when this was filmed and shown, but since he started acting professionally before he turned eight, then he could be considered a veteran, and he surely proved he's a true thespian in this film.  His eyes were filled with so much emotion and he was surely battling with legions of demons that dwelled inside of him.  

Sir Derek Jacobi played a conflicted being, Basil and Ralph's father and Clara's surrogate dad. His role of an aristocrat who believed he was kind and generous, but people should know their place is rather contradictory, don't you think?  Sir Derek was able to play the part more than satisfactorily. 

I think this is the first time I've noticed Rachel Pickup, although I've seen her in TV shows and in movies, like Wonder Woman.  Maybe because she has more exposure here...at least compared to what I've seen before.  She's good.  

Now what about Jared Leto?  He is definitely Basil, a person who has always been creative and so ahead of his time, but his father prohibited him from expressing himself through his art and stories.  He's far too inhibited to have friends, so when he met John, he immediately became friends with him.  Mr. Leto made us look inside Basil's soul. 

The other actors also did so well, but I won't enumerate them anymore.  Those who impressed me the most would have their names on bolder letters on the list of the actors below.

I wonder if I could write a beautiful story as this version of Basil under my byline.  I probably have written something rather promising in the past, but it is credited under another's name.

Basil, the character, inspires me to be more creative.  It's never too late to have at least one chance to make a big splash or something.

If I could only break away...

💭💭💭💭💭

Thank you so much for your time.

CAST:

Christian Slater as John Mannion
Jared Leto as Basil
Claire Forlani as Julia Sherwin
Sir Derek Jacobi as Frederick, Basil's father
Crispin Bonham-Carter as Ralph
Sarah Hadland as Windermere Hall Chambermaid
Stephanie Bagshaw as Emma, John's sister
Jenny Downham as Anna, Ralph's wife
Ann Louise Grimshaw as Knitting Nurse/Sister
Carli Harris as young Clara Fairfax, Basil's cousin
Joanna John as Agnes, Basil's mother
Georgiana Johnson as young Clara, Basil's daughter
Jackson Leach as young Basil
Glenn Marks as Tramp
Hannah Morris as Regent's Park House Maid
Christopher Owen as Mr. Mannion, John's father
Rachel Pickup as Clara Fairfax, Basil's cousin
David Ross as Mr. Sherwin, Julia's merchant father
Matthew Steer as young Ralph
Maisie Tomlinson as a Maid in the Sherwin household
Michael Lieber as Boy with fishing rod
Jack Wild as Peddler
Guy Witcher as young John Mannion