pawebster OK it's very melodramatic, but what acting by the two leads! Both of them are excellent in this. I've seen Sarah Smart do a similar 'act' in other things. Whatever it is, she does it very well.Joe McF plays his passionate and emotional part very well here. I know he irritates some reviewers by his 'soppiness' in this, but that's the character.I'm surprised that Sparkhouse did not catapult both of them into much greater prominence. Joe McF, in particular, seems almost to have disappeared from the screen.By the way, I also think Camilla Power is good in her rather thankless role. To think she was once in Narnia! Richard Armitage also does well here, but doubt I'll ever understand the adulation he seems to attract.

Eowyn1967 I really enjoyed this movie. I found it riveting and had to watch the 3 episodes in a row: Sarah Smart (Carol) is particularly excellent, the pace is fast, the dialogues are well written, the whole cast is really good, including the two young actresses who play Lisa as a child and then as a teenager - Carol's father (Alun Armstrong) is particularly convincing.I only have this reserve which prevents me from rating it as 10/10 that,to me, Joe MacFadden (Andrew) seems less convincing towards the end, when he starts breaking down. I found him more annoying than heart-breaking and I think it's a pity that the script didn't have his character be more honest with his wife about his past (and present) relationship with Carol. Maybe it is "The Wuthering Heights" influence. Maybe "Sparkhouse" might have been even better without this inspiration.As for Richard Armitage as John Standring, it was difficult to recognise him at first. He gives a very good performance. This character is so far from his other roles. I loved seeing his transformation in the 3rd episode! This DVD is certainly worth buying.

ruis2005 I loved this film! This modern-day retelling of Wuthering Heights is a gripping story, with memorable characters and a complex plot. As in WH the novel, we meet a "Heathcliff"-type character in the person of Carol Bolton, the daughter of an abusive, alcoholic father who molests her. In and out of trouble throughout her childhood, she her best friend Andrew are torn apart by their families' loathing of each other, and specifically his parents' disapproval of her. She runs away from home, and returns 5 years later only to discover Andrew (the "Catherine Earnshaw" of the tale) has married another. This is the basic outline of the film, sans too many spoilers, as it reflects the same story in Wuthering Heights. The subplots and supporting characters are all very contemporary with contemporary conflicts and passions. Those viewers expecting a male Heathcliff and female Cathy may have been thrown off by the gender-switch in the story, but I think it improves the film, and probably freed it from some of the restrictions of the original novel so that they were able to create something really fresh and exciting. Highly recommended!

candy-23 What a completely fantastic production!With a combination of superb writing from Sally Wainwright and passionate performances by Sarah Smart & Joe McFadden I was truly gripped by this production. I found myself overwhelmed by my own feelings of past loves, sadness and pain, Never have I felt so affected by a Drama and trust me I watch enough of them.A truly magnificent piece of television, a must see but dont forget your tissues. Well done RED productions.