This review is the first in the series for the miniseries “The Pursuit of Love”. The novel was written by Nancy Mitford, the miniseries was created by Emily Mortimer. It deals with the time between World War I and II. The two cousins that are followed throughout the show have different personalities and priorities that complicate their love/affection for one another.
Beginning in 1941 before jumping back to 1927 and moving linearly forward, “The Pursuit of Love” follows cousins Fanny Logan (Emily Beecham) and Linda Radlett (Lily James). Fanny is the only daughter of the Bolter (Mortimer), a woman who left her to be raised by her Aunt Emily (Annabel Mullion) while the Bolter dove into a string of relationships. Deeply hurt by her mother’s abandonment, Fanny grows into a practical, logical young woman. Each Christmas, Fanny visits Linda at her family’s manor house Alconleigh in the English countryside.
Linda, the only child of the Radlett family and the heir to the vast estate, is a vivacious young woman who lives for the thrill.
Fueled by her imagination, Linda manages to make Fanny miserable every Christmas visit. It’s not until they are both adults that we learn why: Linda has always been in love with Fanny but never felt she could have her out-of-reach cousin as long as she was married to another man; it also becomes clear how much the absence of parental guidance had shaped their lives from an early age.
And when they finally are, the power dynamics of their relationship change and the ease with which the girls previously had fun is replaced by something less comfortable: it must be Linda who makes the first move toward Fanny in order for them to get back what they so blatantly want from each other.
The Pursuit of Love miniseries begins before World War II on a Christmas visit where cousins Fanny Logan (Emily Beecham) and Linda Radlett (Lily Jamel) meet up at their aunt Emily’s house.
The series jumps around through time but all three episodes take place within this one-year period as we see these very different women try out life after an extended separation.
Reviews and Ratings
- 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 79/100
- 18 reviews from critics and audiences alike describe the series as “thoughtful”, “sensitively written”, and “very enjoyable.”
All other details include why this series is worth watching. Perhaps the one thing that stands out the most in the reviews above was how the miniseries focused on women’s lives, so maybe mention something about what’s going on with Fanny and Linda? If not, then just focus more heavily on the themes rather than anything specific to each character.
