A friend asked me the other day: why have you been so strict and tough on Sidney Parker? Is that what you really think of him?
Then I rewatched the episodes and decided to explain my opinion anew.
No, it remains the same and I still think of Sidney Parker as rude and bad-tempered man, but slightly improved ;-)
Theo James as Sidney Parker
Let's start from the fact that Sidney Parker as played by English actor Theo James has nothing to do with Jane Austen's original character. As Austen describes him, Mr. Parker is very witty and funny, who makes one laugh. You would never say that about "our" Sanditon one. This Sidney is everything but funny and witty.
I understand that Mr. Davies has done his best to finish the novel just as he pleased, who am I to correct him, but I just can't get over the fact that Sidney Parker has the main heroine fall for him and then he forsakes her to "save" his selfish and irresponsible brother. There is nothing gentle about him. He cannot be Jane Austen's main gentleman hero.
He's a Conundrum, his eldest brother says of him. What are you talking about?
This Sidney Parker is extremely masculine, meaning most Jane Austen heroes always have had some softness in them, even Mr. Darcy had a heart (yes, the same Davies' 1995 version too), but this guy Sidney played by Theo James is more like some hothead from Western movies or "worse", James Bond himself, nothankyouverymuch.
We know Theo James has got a fever about James Bond. He probably has been dreaming to play the Agent 007 one day, and I don't blame him, he has all the talents, but why, why spoil the Sidney Parker for us?
First off, tv episodes are for ladies, Jane Austen novels are for ladies. No matter how smart and witty, don't believe men enjoy reading her, so you gotta try for ladies, young man, JUST for ladies! We didn't need James Bond or John Wayne kicking ass and jumping from carriages, we expected Austen gentleman (like Mr. Knightley and Mr. Darcy) coming to rescue Charlotte from those crazy bunch in Sanditon. We needed a GENTLEMAN! We needed warm, soft eyes and a WEDDING!!! That's what it's all about. That is our Jane Austen's well known trick to make her heroines claim they do not care about marriage, but of course they do. Which lady doesn't?
All right, Sidney Parker does few nice things: helping Charlotte and Dr. Fuchs with Old Stringer, he also shows how kind he is bringing Otis back, and he seems to like his brother's children, but can't remember anything more important that really could impress me and win my heart were I Charlotte. Although I admit that when a single guy knows how to play with kids and how to talk to them without sounding ridiculous, is already a big achievement and will definitely warm girl's heart.
What is also positive about him is that Sidney is honest and grateful. He acknowledges that he truly became his best self because of Charlotte, really tried to be a better man and probably, would keep trying more if not being interrupted so many times that I even felt sorry for him. It wasn't easy for him after being so bitterly betrayed and forsaken himself.
He does not have anyone to love him just for his own sake. Except Charlotte of course, but he doesn't deserve that love, he hadn't earned it. It happened just because Charlotte is young, has no experience and as it tends to be of human/women nature - any extremely handsome, intelligent and attractively tough guy would make your knees go weak.
Sidney is a broken man like other characters in this very special film. He doesn't seem to be over Eliza Campion even after 10 years and you can see that clearly in his eyes at the London Ball.
That episode (6th) was really powerful and I think I loved every second of it.
(Side note: while rewatching I rewinded a lot, because many scenes are boring and meaningless to me, but this Ball was incomparable. I believe it's been one of the best Balls made in modern movie history. Charlotte and Sidney - both lovely, their dance - perfect. You should all see it yourselves.) But then again in a second's time Sidney looks very weak and lost with Eliza, no sign of James Bond there... He's confused and looks like a little boy, not like matured gentleman.
Writing this down made me realise that Theo James is the producer of the last episodes, so should we blame exclusively him for getting this heartbreaking finale?
We as well got his real time wife Ruth Kearney playing the cold and bitter Mrs. Campion who got money, title and the main hero in the end.
What else shall I say?
C'est la Vie!
Honestly, the whole film is all about very hardcore C'est la Vie.
That's how life goes - good people don't always get what they deserve while wicked and irresponsible ones do very well.
Theo James 5/10 - very good dancer, Sir, but no Jane Austen hero! He is very handsome and one can even call him a heartthrob, but somehow his eyes lack warmness, lack passion and he cannot smile. His smile always looked so fake in this film, that I cringed everytime I saw him trying to smile. Grinning yes, he did well. I am sorry. I just do not like this actor.
I also have seen many of his interviews and although he claims to have studied philosophy and tries to look intelligent, he always manages to talk very shallow and often about his intimate body parts, flirts with women journalists and makes them uncomfortable. What can I do, you should be a good human to make a good actor for me.
Nothing personal though, you will do great James Bond. Wish you every happiness!
...To be continued obviously. I've still got so much to write about "Sanditon". Mr. Andrew Davies, thank you! Even though you have managed to completely ruin the Jane Austen novel, you did create a new very interesting and intriguing DRAMA indeed.
