Anyone else watching this on Netflix? It’s a re-imagining of Anne of Green Gables - I think re-imagining works better as a description than re-make.
I’ve watched the 7 episodes that are on Netflix and there are things I like. There are also things I really don’t like. I tried hard while watching it to not constantly compare it to the 1985 version with Megan Follows, but it was difficult.
To make sure that spoilers don’t show in the mouseover, I’ll leave some room:
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Ok then.
Things I liked:
The casting for Marilla and Rachel Lynde was excellent for both. And I loved the deeper view into their friendship that came in this.
I liked the additional history of Marilla and Matthew - those feel like things that were hinted at in the books and in the above mentioned 1985 version.
Marilla starting to see herself as a mother to Anne - and Anne taking the name Anne Shirley Cuthbert.
Anne is still whip-smart in this, and that’s so important to the character.
Things that are growing on me
The grittiness/darkness of it. Anne did have a tough life before coming to the Cuthberts, and a lot of that is glossed over in the earlier version. I think this one may overemphasize that grimnessin a lot of ways, and I’m not sure that this version is one I’d show to kids younger than 12 or 13.
The oddness of Avonlea residents. I’m on both sides of the fence with this. Everyone immediately accepting Anne makes her a little too Mary Sue-ish in the 1985 version. But in this one, everyone (other than Gilbert Blythe) is so mean from the start.
Things that are just NOPE to me
Matthew wanting to kill himself when he has the health crisis
The dude approaching Anne at the train station in Charlottetown after Marilla sends her back to the orphanage and Matthew’s trying to find her.
Gilbert Blythe’s father dying so early on and Gilbert going away. Anne & Gilbert’s story is part of the heart of the tale to me - their competition in school over the years and how they both respected the intelligence of each other, even when she couldn’t stand him (or claimed she couldn’t).
If there’s more, I’ll probably watch it. I’m not opposed to change, even if I don’t like all of these changes.