Product Description

Set in 1874, Affinity tells the story of a bored young single woman who becomes a visitor in a female prison and becomes obsessed with a prisoner with horrendous repercussions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4704 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-12-29
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 93 minutes

Synopsis
Adapted from the book by Sarah Waters (TIPPING THE VELVET, FINGERSMITH) AFFINITY follows Margaret Prior, an upper class Victorian woman lost in grief for her late father. After a failed suicide attempt, Margaret escapes her troubles by becoming a 'lady visitor' at Millbank Prison, wherein she tries to connect with the female prisoners. One particular prisoner who intrigues her is Selina Dawes, a young medium. The friendship between the women grows as truths about Selina's past come to light.

Customer Reviews

At last - my affinity
AFFINITY is one of my favourite books - it is definitely my favourite by Waters - and so I was thrilled when I learnt that it was going to be adapted into a drama for T.V. Perhaps because of how much I like the novel, I have to admit I was slightly worried about watching the adaptation - having read the book, I had certain hopes and expectations for any kind of production of AFFINITY. However, I can happily say that I need not have worried.

The story is about Margaret, a young woman in Victorian England who has recently lost her father. As a way of escaping her sorrows, she volunteers to visit the female prisoners of Millbank prison, to become a confidante for them. Upon her first visit, she comes across one prisoner who seems different to the others; there is a calmness about her, and in her hands she is holding a perfect violet. This prisoner, Selina Dawes, intrigues Margaret, especially when she learns she calls herself a medium, and so she begins to visit her regularly. As they become closer, the tension builds. Selina has influences on Margaret that she could not have forseen. And she becomes convinced that their souls have an affinity for each other.

That is all of the plot I shall give away. What I loved about this adaptation is that, to a large degree, the atmosphere that Waters creates in the novel remains. The way that you are able to see each woman as being in her own prison is very well done, making you realise that there are more ways to trap a person than just with bars and metal. The gradual development of their relationship is also dealt with well. Rather than being gratuitous, there is a real sense of sensuality; a tamed desire that is also bound by walls of a different kind.
On the downside, there were certain parts of the adaptation which could not have the same effect as they did within the pages of the book. One example of this, for me, was when Margaret is shown the room where all of the women's belongings are held. In the book, this scene is quite harrowing. It is likened to a group of coffins for children, and there is defintiely a sense of invading privacy. However, in this adaptation these feelings were not so strong. Granted, I appreciate that this would be difficult to create, as the audience is not able to enter the mind of Margaret as they would do if reading the book. It is only one observation on my part, and it is because of this that I would urge people to also read the book. I think there is much more to this story that is lost on the screen.
However, despite this, I would thoroughly recommend this to all people who enjoy romance but with a little darkness added.

Great costume drama with an even greater twist

I was lucky enough to see a copy of this superb drama. If you've read the book by Sarah Waters than you wont be dissapointed by this amazing adaptation from Andrew Davis.

For me this is the probably the best verison of a Sarah Waters novel to date.

If you haven't read the book, then you've in for treat as this has one of the best twists i've seen for years.

Read the book!
This movie does a major disservice to the book. Affinity is my favourite of Walters' novels and I really couldn't stand this movie. It's clumsy and awkward, the relationship between Margaret and Selina isn't fleshed out at all so you can't understand why Margaret does what she does for Selina.
I liked the atmosphere of the prison, it was filmed at a great location (or set), but that is about the only positive thing I can say about this movie. Read the book instead!