Romancing Period Drama

Before Romeo and Juliet there was Tristan and Isolde. A love affair between the second in line to the British throne and an Irish princess when both countries were feuding. Is this a real story? There are so many versions of it and Yan absolutely loves Wagner's opera version.

I love period drama. I remembered growing up in my teens watching Hercules and Robin Hood miniseries on tv. Every episode had me spellbound. There's something about love and honour with all the castles, beautiful scenery, sword fighting and equine scenes that left me wanting for more. I love to go back in time where there are no mobile phones, cars and aeroplanes or guns.

In this 2006 film version, Isolde found an injured, thought to be dead Tristan on the beach as she attempted to flee a betrothal to a warrior. She along with her maid nursed Tristan back into health and they loved each other though they were supposed to be enemies. I found myself thinking, "What if the Tristan that Isolde found was not at all gorgeous? " "Would she still nursed her enemy back into health? Afterall, he's English -an enemy." "What about Isolde, if as a Irish princess she had been lacking in beauty? Would Tristan fall in love with her, the only woman he's ever loved in his short tragic life?"

Looks matter, don't they? James Franco with his beautiful eyes is the perfect hunk to play Tristan and Sophia Myles a great beauty with all the hair extensions. I love their chemistry!!!!

During my adolescence, when school was a huge burden, I often imagined myself falling in love. I wanted to experience loving and being loved by a handsome young hunk. At that age, I never thought about religious and temperament compatibility or even artistic talents. My dream guy should be a few years older than me with beautiful hair -lots of it. I love the thought of running my fingers through a man's hair - I still do, occasionally play with Yan's hair. It's quite romantic!!!! HAHAHA

I had thought how wonderful it was if in the middle of a boring lecture, a bouquet of deep red roses came not for the teacher (usually bitches!!!) but for me?? All eyes would turn to see me as I beheld the beautiful flowers and wondered about the giver. Who was it from? Such mystery!! In the end it was from that handsome stranger whom I noticed had been subtly stalking me, waiting for me at the bus stop after school. BUT of course, if the stalker cum admirer was no where near slim and good looking it would have been utter humiliation should that fantasy materialise. Possibly the reason why I felt so disgusted when years ago I received some 50 roses from a secret admirer who was neither good looking nor smart. Such was my ego!!!!!HAHAHA

So i never admit it till now. I am a romantic at heart. En route Paris on my Europe tour in spring 1995, I found myself weeping alongside Brad Pitt, watching Legends of the Fall on the big screen in the plane when all others were asleep. It must be quite a sight of me crying with the headphones on. So much so that an Air France steward asked in heavily accented English, "Miss, are you alright?" I smiled through the tears and pointed at the movie. It made the helpful steward chuckled and returned to hand me some tissues. Thank God no one else witness that!!!

So that's me. I feel so deeply at times. I can put myself in the shoes of the actors /actresses or even that of the characters. When usually the male leads shed a tear or two, in this movie, James Franco teared beautifully, my heart goes all out to the character. Its like I can step into the TV, the production and hug the poor fellow/actor. HAHAHA

I felt Tristan's dilemma loving Isolde, the wife he won on behalf of his king, the kind hearted Lord Marke who sort of 'adopted' him as a young orphan. I felt Tristan's pain when he finally choose honour and duty over love and when his character succumbed to the sword through his heart, I cried:

Tristan.........................................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXugMh1oX78