Pride and Prejudice
Oct. 22nd, 2005 12:28 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lyoreSaw Pride and Prejudice earlier this evening with Bob/ette. I was fairly ambivalent about the movie going in, since the book is my literary equivalent of comfort food, and I love the BBC mini series. I was fairly ambivalent coming out, as well.
First of all, the good things. I thought this was an incredibly beautiful movie from a direction/photography point of view (though I wonder about the necessity of the scene with Elizabeth dramatically posed on the edge of a cliff). Judi Dench was, (as always) superb as Lady Catherine, as was Brenda Blethyn who played the mother. The portrayal of Bingley, though not what I imagined from the book, was a highlight - the actor coming across as a mixture of an older Rupert Grint and a younger Paul Bettany. Donald Sutherland was also convincing as Mr Bennet, though his character lacked some of the impropriety of the book version. Oh, and Wickham looked like Orlando Bloom. I'm not kidding. Mr Collins, while not really nailing the characteristics of the book character, was OK, and served his purpose well.
The time compression was well handled, and they did a good job of fitting all the elements into the 2 1/2 hours. I also need to mention the scenes where Bingley is rehearsing his proposal to Jane - hilarious (though. of course completely made up).
The not so good - My main objection was that I didn't really get the right vibe from the Darcy/Elizabeth scenes, in the early part of the book. While both the actors shone when some of the hostility between them was allowed to show (standout moments - the dance scene and the refusal of the proposal), it seemed like, everytime there was a tense moment between them, the swelling, unrequited love music kicked in, and it was lost. While I could buy the early, moderately obvious attraction of Darcy to Elizabeth (as Bob/ette pointed out, it's in the book), it definitely seemed to be at least mildly returned, which basically defused the growing hostility between them (The end of their dance together, for instance. Also, when Darcy asked her to dance - he asked, she said yes, he left, she asked Charlotte if she actually just said yes, they both burst into giggles. Not really so hostile). T. Elizabeth seemed to feel, for most of the first half, maybe a mild dislike towards Darcy, mostly prompted by Wickham's sob story. Of course, as Wickham showed up only long enough to impart said story and then disappeared, and Elizabeth didn't mention this to anyone, any intensity was soon lost. Not sure whether this overall lack of intensity was due to the script, the direction, or the acting.
I also had problems was with the portrayal of Darcy in the first half, where he seemed more nervous and unsure (as well as looking kind of sleepy) than proud. Whenever he was allowed to demonstrate emotion, he was great, but for the rest of the time, especially in the ballroom scenes, 'reserved' seemed to equal 'drugged/sad'. But, as Bob/ette said, he had a great smile. And his dramatic striding-out-of-the-mist scene is the equal of the wet shirt scene in the mini series. Nice. *end shallowness*
My other major problem was the way the Bennet's were portrayed as quite poor (not just poor in comparison to the Bingleys and Darcy's of the world). They had a PIG wandering though the hallway at one stage. Think the Weasleys and the Burrow, in a non-magical sense.
Georginia is completely different, but since she is only there for one scene, this isn't such an issue. And, for some reason, I had a very large problem when Elizabeth goes to Netherfield with her hair down. I'm not an expert on womens fashions in the early 19 century, but it just seemed to me to be the equivalent of her showing up in her pjs. And, continuing the minor nit-picking, Charlotte says at one point, something along the lines of 'better snap him up'. Seemed kinda modern.
Believe it or not, I did actually enjoy the movie, when I could stop comparing it to the book. As a period romance, I though it was excellent. As an adaption of Pride and Prejudice, I thought it was OK.
Now, for something completely different - I got my invitation to Graduate in the mail today. Yay! Now I just need to reply - and pass all my units this semester.
And, I bought the new Rasmus cd. Haven't had a chance to listen to it yet. Hopefully they stick mostly with the style of 'Dead Letters' rather than reverting to their earlier stuff.
Random Observation of the Day - "Married couples get more radiation from sleeping next to one another than they do from the nuclear industry" - Sir Fred Hoyle
First of all, the good things. I thought this was an incredibly beautiful movie from a direction/photography point of view (though I wonder about the necessity of the scene with Elizabeth dramatically posed on the edge of a cliff). Judi Dench was, (as always) superb as Lady Catherine, as was Brenda Blethyn who played the mother. The portrayal of Bingley, though not what I imagined from the book, was a highlight - the actor coming across as a mixture of an older Rupert Grint and a younger Paul Bettany. Donald Sutherland was also convincing as Mr Bennet, though his character lacked some of the impropriety of the book version. Oh, and Wickham looked like Orlando Bloom. I'm not kidding. Mr Collins, while not really nailing the characteristics of the book character, was OK, and served his purpose well.
The time compression was well handled, and they did a good job of fitting all the elements into the 2 1/2 hours. I also need to mention the scenes where Bingley is rehearsing his proposal to Jane - hilarious (though. of course completely made up).
The not so good - My main objection was that I didn't really get the right vibe from the Darcy/Elizabeth scenes, in the early part of the book. While both the actors shone when some of the hostility between them was allowed to show (standout moments - the dance scene and the refusal of the proposal), it seemed like, everytime there was a tense moment between them, the swelling, unrequited love music kicked in, and it was lost. While I could buy the early, moderately obvious attraction of Darcy to Elizabeth (as Bob/ette pointed out, it's in the book), it definitely seemed to be at least mildly returned, which basically defused the growing hostility between them (The end of their dance together, for instance. Also, when Darcy asked her to dance - he asked, she said yes, he left, she asked Charlotte if she actually just said yes, they both burst into giggles. Not really so hostile). T. Elizabeth seemed to feel, for most of the first half, maybe a mild dislike towards Darcy, mostly prompted by Wickham's sob story. Of course, as Wickham showed up only long enough to impart said story and then disappeared, and Elizabeth didn't mention this to anyone, any intensity was soon lost. Not sure whether this overall lack of intensity was due to the script, the direction, or the acting.
I also had problems was with the portrayal of Darcy in the first half, where he seemed more nervous and unsure (as well as looking kind of sleepy) than proud. Whenever he was allowed to demonstrate emotion, he was great, but for the rest of the time, especially in the ballroom scenes, 'reserved' seemed to equal 'drugged/sad'. But, as Bob/ette said, he had a great smile. And his dramatic striding-out-of-the-mist scene is the equal of the wet shirt scene in the mini series. Nice. *end shallowness*
My other major problem was the way the Bennet's were portrayed as quite poor (not just poor in comparison to the Bingleys and Darcy's of the world). They had a PIG wandering though the hallway at one stage. Think the Weasleys and the Burrow, in a non-magical sense.
Georginia is completely different, but since she is only there for one scene, this isn't such an issue. And, for some reason, I had a very large problem when Elizabeth goes to Netherfield with her hair down. I'm not an expert on womens fashions in the early 19 century, but it just seemed to me to be the equivalent of her showing up in her pjs. And, continuing the minor nit-picking, Charlotte says at one point, something along the lines of 'better snap him up'. Seemed kinda modern.
Believe it or not, I did actually enjoy the movie, when I could stop comparing it to the book. As a period romance, I though it was excellent. As an adaption of Pride and Prejudice, I thought it was OK.
Now, for something completely different - I got my invitation to Graduate in the mail today. Yay! Now I just need to reply - and pass all my units this semester.
And, I bought the new Rasmus cd. Haven't had a chance to listen to it yet. Hopefully they stick mostly with the style of 'Dead Letters' rather than reverting to their earlier stuff.
Random Observation of the Day - "Married couples get more radiation from sleeping next to one another than they do from the nuclear industry" - Sir Fred Hoyle
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-10-24 04:32 am (UTC)Bob/ette
no subject
Date: 2005-10-24 06:45 am (UTC)Of course, that is completely dwarfed by the amount of radiation they would get from the testing of nuclear bombs and other weapons. And that is less than what you get from frequent trips in a aeroplane, so...
And if you want other interesting nuclear type stats - nuclear workers receive less radiation than the general public does from the granite edifice of the New York Grand Central Station.
*shrugs* Of course, this doesn't really take into account the type of radiation you receive, which is the important part. They are just usefull for getting people's attention.
Basically the moral of the story - a) nuclear power isn't as bad as you think and b) marriage is bad for your health :)
no subject
Date: 2005-10-27 08:52 am (UTC)he asked, she said yes, he left, she asked Charlotte if she actually just said yes, they both burst into giggles. Not really so hostile
Yes, that was something that bothered me as well, so the moment was so brief that it didn't stick with me.
Elizabeth wearing her hair down struck me as too improper as well. I was a bit shocked when I saw her in that scene. Open hair in the 19th century just seems to be strongly suggestive. I think they can get away with it, because movie-Lizzy is more of a village girl than a lady, but still...
I liked the Georgiana scenes. I got the feeling movie-Georgiana is very shy when in public, but with only her brother her around she becomes lively. And she feels comfortable with Elizabeth.
I've read the book Pride & Prejudice many, many times. :-) And the BBC adaptation of it is outstanding. IMO, it's very faithful to how Jane Austen saw the social settings of the characters and the characters as well.
The movie on the other hand takes many liberties with the novel: The most noteworthy being the social standing of the Bennetts, but this I don't mind. It's less faithful, but makes things easier to understand for the modern audience.
The other big difference is the portrayal of Darcy and the lack of Elizabeth's loathing for him. Here I really, really prefer the book and the BBC mini series.
My impressions on the whole were very positive, because beforehand I had had very low expectations. I had been afraid they would turn it into modern romance with lots of kisses and passionate embraces. So I was very positively surprised by the subtle way they portrayed the romance.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-27 10:07 am (UTC)I found the downwards mobility of the Bennets annoying, mostly becuase I could never imagine book!Darcy or mini-series!Darcy even considering associating with that class of people. On the other hand, I get how it could make it easier for modern audiences to appreciate.
I was pleasantly suprised at the ending - I was sitting in my seat silently chanting 'Don't kiss, don't kiss'. I think they struck a good balance between the reserve of the period and the romantic expectations of the audience.
I liked the movie, I love the mini-series, and I adore the book :). Which is odd, when you consider the majority of my other interests, but... *shrug* Variety is the spice of life, I guess.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-27 10:23 am (UTC)Pride & Prejudice has some very modern views. E.g. Elizabeth stays true to herself, she never gives up what she believes in. I think that explains in parts why I love the book. Of course, I also enjoy Austen's subtle humor.