Masterpiece Theatre: Mansfield Park (2007)

The third in the series from PBS' Masterpiece Theatre, this adaptation of Mansfield Park has no body to it. Our heroine is poor Fanny Price (Billie Piper) who is sent to her wealthy cousins' estate at Mansfield. Surrounded by status and yet not allowed to partake of it, Fanny isn't sure where she fits in. Despite her position, a friendship is forged with her cousin Edmund Bertram (Blake Ritson) that continues to adulthood.

Years later, her cousins are off and married. Fanny, still at Mansfield Park, concerns herself with household matters until she finds herself pursued by a neighbor fresh from high society. Siblings Mary and Henry Crawford have set their sights on the Bertram fortune. Can Fanny withstand her suitor's petulant advances while waiting for her true love to notice her? Can Edmund discover his own desires before Mary hooks him?

You'll just sigh with delight as the story unfolds. Austen readers will appreciate this beautiful, albeit shallow production.

Fanny is a free spirit, but she's not daft. Sadly it's hard to tell what she's trying to be here. Billy Piper is a beautiful girl; her character doesn't have the detail and body found in Austen's novel.

The men are as dashing as ever-- with strong jaw lines and aquiline noses. Strolling about the estate, the couples look divine.

Regardless, you'd be better served to read Austen's book. There is so much more to our modest heroine and to Mansfield Park. It'd be a shame for you to miss out.