“It’s a long journey and nothing stays the same. The dice have been rolled for each of you. I wish you luck, and I hope there is more good luck than bad.”
And so goes the stark realization protagonist, Logan Mountstuart, gives to viewers upon the twilight of his life, which spanned most of the twentieth century and makes up the four hour plot of the PBS Masterpiece Classic miniseries, Any Human Heart.
As we watch the young, sexually hungry and romantic Mountstuart of the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s turn into a disillusioned and drunken middle-aged man of the ‘50s and ‘60s before ending up weathered and alone in a France summerhouse in the early '90s, his whole black-and-white perspective makes life seem like a tragic lottery of meaningless events. Watching him stubble through, at first successfully into the arms of loving women and then onto rather trivial book ideas that grant him early publishing success, but also into failed marriages, prisoner of war situations and experiences of extreme loss, Mountstuart’s inability to deeply connect to anything and just chalk everything up to “good luck” and “bad luck” – because it was his father’s dying words – makes for one depressing existence.
Overall, I found Mountstuart was not relatable or endearing as a main character because he reacts to events in his life only from a place of ego; therefore, never making the most out his relationships and encounters and never really recognizing the value these experiences brought to his life. At least as far as the screen adaptation of the William Boyd novel of the same title goes.
However, just because I found no heart in Mountstuart’s passive philosophy towards life, there was indeed heart in the production quality and sweeping storyline of Any Human Heart, which makes the viewer realize, mostly at Mountstuart’s disposal, that fleeting moments and chance encounters are the richness of our time here. We should nourish and cherish it all or life will just pass us by, as is the story of the main character. This is especially evident through the boxes of photos and memory-filled journals he is surrounded by during the flash forwards to his final days.
As we watch Mountstuart travel various different paths — a young lover and writer in Paris, a married man of the military in London, an art dealer in New York — while sharing drinks and conversation with Ernest Hemmingway, Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII, Prince of Wales*, the viewer is taken on a trip through time marked by alluring costumes and makeup that change styles through the years. Luscious filming locations and backdrop details with props of the various decades as well as elements, such as the hues and colors used in particular scenes, match the mood and time period seamlessly.
Another feature of the provocative series that kept me watching was the dreamlike cinematography used. Often, the time and space reality of the scenes is brought into focus, making the viewer feel as though they are in the older Mountstuart’s head, remembering the events. Certain camera angles and POV techniques have the same illusory effect.
Also, the acting by the entire cast is high-caliber. The large, well-picked ensemble of actors is what brings to life and maintains the beating of Any Human Heart’s storyline. The three actors who play Mountstuart - Sam Claflin, Matthew Macfadyen and Jim Broadbent - are exceptional at copying mannerisms and facial expressions, so as we move through time it feels like the same person. Because of its effectiveness, I much prefer the method of switching out actors to covering one actor in a bunch of makeup.
The ladies of Mountstuart’s journeys also give standout performances. Most notably, Hayley Atwell, who plays the love of his life, Freya Deverall, which was perhaps the only point in the story where I felt Mountstuart was a bit endearing. Also, Kim Cattrall’s performance as Gloria Scabius is, at first, the typical Cattrall part of seductress, but when she enters his life again near the end of hers, she has turned into a wise and compassionate older woman. Cattrall is stunning and very believable in the role.
In the end, the filming and visual details as well as a few unique spots in the storyline are what make the miniseries worth watching. Otherwise, after living 80-plus years in various geographic places, Mountstuart's narrative reflections on the conditions of any human heart are melancholic and unsatisfying.
I would not go so far as to say Any Human Heart is for everyone. It’s definitely for a niche audience. Particularly, those who are English-lit, history or book-to-movie nerds (like me) and those who would appreciate the quality and details of a period series that spans almost an entire century.
Any Human Heart can be viewed for free on PBS.org until March 22. I assume it will then make its way to Netflix.
Watch the full episode. See more Masterpiece.
*The relationship with Simpson and the Prince is even more interesting if you have seen The King’s Speech, catching the parallel storylines is entertaining for any history-movie buff. Additionally, the performances by Gillian Anderson and Tom Hollander as the controversial Royal couple are convincing and well-played.
