All right, Hollywood: here's the outlay. This needs to happen.
For the role of Valancy Stirling, Arabella suggests Maggie Gyllenhaal. Brilliant choice.
For Barney Snaith: Jim Carrey. Casting credit goes to Laura. Possibly controversial, but I think it's downright inspired. "Nobody with a smile like that could be bad, no matter what he had done."
Roaring Abel Gay: Clint "Get off my lawn!" Eastwood. Also cast by Laura.
Cissy Gay: Clémence Poésy. Cast by Laura.
Mrs. Frederick Stirling: Judi Dench. For the frown.
Cousin Olive: Scarlett Johansson, who seems to play a lot of absurdly gorgeous characters with nasty temperaments.
Dr. Trent: Tom Selleck. Someone who can be good-hearted and awfully gruff all at once.
Dr. Stalling: Ciaran Hinds. Because he has such good angry and disappointed expressions.
You can all help me round this out. I'm drawing a blank on Uncle Benjamin and Cousin Stickles. Were there any other important characters that I'm missing? I can update this post with images as needed. And feel free to share your own casting ideas, of course.
UPDATE: Celia Imrie as Cousin Stickles, cast by jana.kaye. Judging from a Google images search, this actress might possibly steal the show as Valancy's fretful, griping housemate.
UPDATE II: We have an Uncle Benjamin in Arabella's suggestion of Richard Dreyfuss. Perfect.
Arabella also recommends Tom Hanks for Uncle James and the now-retired Jean Stapleton for Cousin Georgiana. Ms. Stapleton may wish to pass on the role, but this is definitely thinking in the right direction.
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Uncle James: Tom Hanks. |
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Cousin Georgiana: Jean Stapleton |
Lastly, some potential places to film.