Victorian England comes alive in the 2011 British mini-series, "The Crimson Petal and the White," starring Romola Garai and Chris O'Dowd (Bridesmaids). Based on the novel, of the same name, by Michel Faber, the story centers around William Rackham (O'Dowd), an aspiring writer and heir to a perfume business, and Sugar (Garai), an intelligent and capable woman living her life as a prostitute. William, who is married to the emotionally fragile Agnes (Amanda Hale), finds comfort in Sugar and soon becomes a regular, even requesting from her madam, Mrs. Castaway (Gillian Anderson), that he be Sugar's only "customer." Of course, William has the ability to pay for Sugar's exclusive services. Over time, William comes to depend on Sugar's advice and intelligence, which becomes valuable concerning business matters, especially when he has to start working for the family business after his father stops financing his writing venture.
Over time, William provides Sugar with an apartment and their physical relationship continues unabated. Sugar, who is also a writer, has been working on a book outlining a revenge scheme against the men who have used and abused her and her friends. She often fantasizes about killing William as she is penning her explicit and violent book. However, the ever clueless and selfish William is too consumed with his own life and assorted problems to see Sugar as a potential threat. His marriage continues to fall apart and his brother, Henry (Mark Gatiss), denies his sexual urges in favor of his spiritual beliefs, which causes both him and William much grief. In addition, William is almost completely unlikable. He treats the women in his life with little regard, except Sugar, who he eventually takes on as an employee and allows her to live in the same house with him and Agnes. While there, Sugar is charged with taking care of Sophie, the only child of William and Agnes.
Sugar may feel like she is the center of William's universe, but after she moves in, he appears to lose interest in her. As a result, Sugar struggles with her feelings for William and soon discovers that she is pregnant and fears what will happen when the paternity is uncovered. While it takes her some time, Sugar eventually recognizes the real William and how poorly he treats all of the women in his life. She utilizes her intellect to devise a plan to make things right for her, Sophie and Agnes, but she faces many obstacles in their path to freedom.
Chris O'Dowd tackles his first dramatic role in "The Crimson Petal and the White" and rises to the challenge of playing a very unlikable character, who is completely different from the role he played in the 2011 comedy Bridesmaids. O'Dowd displays solid chemistry with Ramola Garai, who portrays Sugar with a gentle strength that only seems to grow stronger with each setback. Sugar is a silent force to be reckoned with and always seems to outsmart the men she encounters, who all seem to underestimate her. The supporting cast includes the beguiling Gillian Anderson ("The X-Files"), as the nasty Mrs. Castaway. Her relationship with Sugar is much deeper than viewers are originally led to believe and she also possesses a quiet force about her that should scare those who think about crossing her.
The Victorian era is brought to life via outstanding art direction, costume design and expert use of lighting in this four hour mini-series from director Marc Munden and screenwriter Lucinda Coxon. The extra features include Deleted Scenes, Interviews with Romola Garai, Chris O'Dowd, Marc Munden and other crew members, and Character Biographies.
"The Crimson Petal and the White" is now available on DVD from Acorn Media.
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