Matthew MacFadyen, Paloma Baeza, David Suchet

First screened on BBC in 2001, The Way We Live Now will surprise those who know Anthony Trollope through the subtleties of his Barsetshire novels. This story of ambition centers around Augustus...( read more  read more... ) Melmotte, an Austrian Jewish financier who takes the London money markets and social scene by storm in his efforts to become an "English country gentleman." His rise and fall is followed with remorseless logic by Trollope, and David Yates's direction keeps this in focus against a wealth of subplots and character interaction.

The cast is a strong one, with David Suchet's Melmotte gripping in his recklessness, climaxing in the theatrical magnificence of his departure in disgrace from the House of Commons. Shirley Henderson is magnetic as his put-upon daughter Marie, courted by the cream-of-society bachelors for her dowry rather than her person. Cheryl Campbell gives a good account of the feckless Lady Carbury, writing vacuous novels to support her family, with Matthew MacFadyen relishing the part of her rakish son, Felix. Paloma Baeza is sympathetic as her daughter, Hetta, whose on-off relationship with entrepreneur Paul Montague, ably taken by Cillian Murphy, provides the main love interest. Douglas Hodge impresses as the loyal and sincere but insipid Roger Carbury.

The series consists of four generous episodes, each lasting 75 minutes. This is an absorbing production of what isn't the most subtle of Victorian novels, but which surely remains among the most relevant. --Richard Whitehouse

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74% liked it

1,748 ratings

Unrated, 340 min.

Directed by: David Yates

Release Date: November 23, 2001

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DVD Release Date: April 30, 2002

Stats: 72 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (72)


  • April 18, 2007
    Excellent and stirring adaptation of Trollope's best book benefits from a spectacular cast (especially Suchet and Henderson) and sharp, well-defind direction. The script is also good because it stays true to Trollope's novel but doesn't have any qualms about discarding something...( read more) if it won't work onscreen. One of the best period dramas out there. Check it out.
  • September 22, 2009
    Cillian Murphy is in it so I NEED 2 SEE IT!!!!!
  • September 8, 2009
    Mini-series of 4 episodes based on Anthony Trollope's novel. Watching the fourth and final episode soon.
  • August 25, 2009
    This is a great drama! There are so many things going on in the story that you're never sure how it will turn out in the end. I'd love to read the original novel.
  • March 28, 2009
    No thankyou - Not interested
  • December 28, 2008
    some wonderful performances, a sad commentary on life then (and now?) matthew macfadyen's performance here is, in my opinion, better than he did in pride and prejudice.
  • June 30, 2008
    I liked it, was an entertaining watch and it was well done.
  • April 23, 2008
    this is on my top ten list...wonderflully done
  • August 21, 2007
    i would like to see this one...

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