ABC did themselves proud!

It is always difficult to re-make an old favourite musical, and expect to catch the hearts of those watching this version with as much fire as did the original. I must admit, I expected to find much to criticise in any re-make of "South Pacific", even with the inimitable Glenn Close playing Nellie Forbush. Well, I believe ABC did remarkably well with this project. From the opening credits, it was excellent. "There is Nothing Like a Dame" was equally as strong and fun as the original, and the chereography was brilliant. Ten minutes into the show, and I was already praising it to my husband.

It was an extremely good take on the original production, and costumes and sets were brilliant all round. Glenn Close showed her incredible singing talent (which may come as a surprise to those who did not know she played Norma Desmond on Broadway in "Sunset Boulevard". Not only is she an incredible actress but is a very talented singer also.

Harry Connick Jr was the ill-fated Lieutenant Cable, who fell in love with Liat (Natalie Mendoza) only to have to deny his love in the realisation that his family would be unable to accept her or her family. In all my years of having seen the original, it took this version to make me understand part of the story. Set in the early 1940's, active racism and segregation was still very much a part of many American states. Nellie's utter shock at finding that the man she loves (Emil - played brilliantly by Rade Sherbedgia) had fathered children by a native Island woman, had always gone over my head. Last night's interpretation made me realise that 1940's Arkansas was very much separatist, and that as such, Nellie would have been raised in a certain way, and made to feel that any relationship with a non-white was not only undesirable but against the law at that time.

Unfortunately, the end credits rolled so quickly that I missed being able to get a lot of the other information. Lori Tan Chinn gave a wonderful characterization of Mary, your friendly neighbourhood fixer-upper (for a price!). The role could have been written for her. Unfortunately (marred by my love for the original soundrack) I feel there were parts of her rendering of "Bali Hai" that were not as good. As also with Harry Connick Jr's "Younger than Springtime". Good in themselves, but missing some of the power in the original versions.

Overall though, I think ABC surpassed themselves in this. Everything was spot on - scenery, filming, costumes, acting. Everyone who took part in this movie did an excellent job, and should be well pleased with themselves.

If you missed it on the tv, the movie is going to be released on video, so give it a try. You will not be disappointed, you can take it from me.