pride & prejudice
Nov. 1st, 2005 09:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kaydeefalls
So, on impulse I went out and saw the new Pride & Prejudice film, because I was bored and in need of fictional romance and the local cinema is only 5.50 euro for students on weekdays. I might add that this was my second viewing of said film, the first being right before classes started a few weeks ago. (Apparently, it's not out in the States yet; it's been playing here for about a month already.) And, let me tell you, this movie is a LOT better on second viewing.
Okay, when it comes to films based on books I love, I almost always enjoy them more the second or third time around, because the first time I'm too busy noting and griping about all the changes from the novel to really enjoy myself. Such it was with this one. My main problem with this version of P&P, which still remains, is that at times it tries a little too hard to not be the BBC version we all know and love. It's all like, "look! I'm edgy and different! I'm Pride & Prejudice the way you've NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE." And I'm all like, "yes, but we're all seeing this film because we adore the book and the BBC version, and there are certain things we NEED TO SEE and certain lines we NEED TO HEAR, so stop being artsy and pretentious and give us what we want, damnit!"
So, in some cases, that still holds.
But on second viewing, I really like this adaptation of the novel. It captures the spirit without getting too bogged down in the details, and pares the plot down to its essentials in a most satisfactory manner. Also, I really love the feel of this version. It's much more...earthy and real, whereas the BBC version, while painstakingly true to the book, was a little too pristine and elegant for my tastes. Here, when Lydia and Kitty and Mrs. Bennet make fools of themselves, they're really embarrassing. The lower-class status of the Bennets is clearly illustrated in their home and manner of living, especially when compared to the Netherfield and Pemberley estates. Their clothing is far coarser and less beautiful, there are chickens in the yard, etc. And while the cinematography occasionally veers off into the pretentiously artsy, for the most part, it's unbelievably gorgeous.
And the acting. Oh, my. Putting aside Elizabeth and Darcy for a moment, the supporting actors here are universally far superior to those in the BBC version. I love Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. The younger sisters are wonderful -- and actually look their ages. Mary, oh Mary, how my heart goes out to you and your solemn awkwardness. Lydia is fantastically obnoxious. Kitty is...well, not much of a character, but she never is, is she? And beyond the Bennet family -- Mr. Collins! Oh, god, he's so slimy and socially inept. Mr. Bingley has the most wholeheartedly refreshing take on the character I've ever imagined, and he's adorably awkward and earnest. Miss Bingley is the snobbiest snob of all snobdom, and delightfully malicious. Wickham looks strangely like Orlando Bloom. And Judi Dench as Catherine deBourgh is...well, a bit typecast, honestly, after Importance of Being Earnest, but still all kinds of fabulous. And so on, and so on.
And there is a scene between Bingley and Darcy, near the end, which is the most adorable thing EVER. You'll know it when you see it. <3 Bingley.
Keira Knightley...well, I liked her a lot, and more than I expected. Jennifer Ehle (of the BBC version) is the better actress, but Keira really made me enjoy her Lizzy. You have to like her. And I love the way the director makes her lust for Darcy very obvious from the beginning. Okay, a bit of a departure from the book, I realize, but I think it makes you sympathize with Lizzy all the more to see that she's very much attracted to Darcy from the start, and really is hurt by his rudeness and apparent pride. And, okay, Keira's my celebrity girl!crush, so yeah. But still. She's a very enjoyably Lizzy, well worth watching.
And Mr. Darcy. Oh, Darcy. There will never be a Dracy like Colin Firth, let's just get that out there, and this one -- Matthew MacFadyen -- is not Colin Firth. But aside from that incontrovertible deficiency -- oh, my. He's certainly got a somethin' somethin' of his own, and he does the smoldering look like nobody's business. I just. *fans self* Yeah. See icon. If nothing else, this movie brings teh hotness. In wonderful, wonderful ways. I squirmed happily in my seat.
BUT. I have one VERY IMPORTANT COMPLAINT to register. Why, oh ye gods WHY, does nobody realize that Pride & Prejudice is a kissing book? It just IS. We are here because we are HOPELESS ROMANTICS and WE WANT TO SEE THEM SNOG, goddamnit. The BBC version gave us a pithy, polite little kiss at the very end. This film? NO KISS. NOT ONE. Well, she kisses his hand. BUT THAT DOESN'T COUNT. There are moments in this film when they stare at each other's lips in a most blatant fashion and Darcy even MOVES IN FOR IT right after his first (rejected) proposal in a way that made my heart flutter in my chest. And then, when love is all confessed, they stare meaningfully at each other's lips...and press their foreheads together. GAH. I'm feeling sexually frustrated FOR them. All this tension mounting, and then no release, people. No release. And the film ends on a decidedly odd note. But anyway.
So yes. It has its faults, but it really is worth seeing. I'll probably buy it when it comes out on DVD. It brings the hotass and indulges my inner romantic, what can I say?
Okay, when it comes to films based on books I love, I almost always enjoy them more the second or third time around, because the first time I'm too busy noting and griping about all the changes from the novel to really enjoy myself. Such it was with this one. My main problem with this version of P&P, which still remains, is that at times it tries a little too hard to not be the BBC version we all know and love. It's all like, "look! I'm edgy and different! I'm Pride & Prejudice the way you've NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE." And I'm all like, "yes, but we're all seeing this film because we adore the book and the BBC version, and there are certain things we NEED TO SEE and certain lines we NEED TO HEAR, so stop being artsy and pretentious and give us what we want, damnit!"
So, in some cases, that still holds.
But on second viewing, I really like this adaptation of the novel. It captures the spirit without getting too bogged down in the details, and pares the plot down to its essentials in a most satisfactory manner. Also, I really love the feel of this version. It's much more...earthy and real, whereas the BBC version, while painstakingly true to the book, was a little too pristine and elegant for my tastes. Here, when Lydia and Kitty and Mrs. Bennet make fools of themselves, they're really embarrassing. The lower-class status of the Bennets is clearly illustrated in their home and manner of living, especially when compared to the Netherfield and Pemberley estates. Their clothing is far coarser and less beautiful, there are chickens in the yard, etc. And while the cinematography occasionally veers off into the pretentiously artsy, for the most part, it's unbelievably gorgeous.
And the acting. Oh, my. Putting aside Elizabeth and Darcy for a moment, the supporting actors here are universally far superior to those in the BBC version. I love Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. The younger sisters are wonderful -- and actually look their ages. Mary, oh Mary, how my heart goes out to you and your solemn awkwardness. Lydia is fantastically obnoxious. Kitty is...well, not much of a character, but she never is, is she? And beyond the Bennet family -- Mr. Collins! Oh, god, he's so slimy and socially inept. Mr. Bingley has the most wholeheartedly refreshing take on the character I've ever imagined, and he's adorably awkward and earnest. Miss Bingley is the snobbiest snob of all snobdom, and delightfully malicious. Wickham looks strangely like Orlando Bloom. And Judi Dench as Catherine deBourgh is...well, a bit typecast, honestly, after Importance of Being Earnest, but still all kinds of fabulous. And so on, and so on.
And there is a scene between Bingley and Darcy, near the end, which is the most adorable thing EVER. You'll know it when you see it. <3 Bingley.
Keira Knightley...well, I liked her a lot, and more than I expected. Jennifer Ehle (of the BBC version) is the better actress, but Keira really made me enjoy her Lizzy. You have to like her. And I love the way the director makes her lust for Darcy very obvious from the beginning. Okay, a bit of a departure from the book, I realize, but I think it makes you sympathize with Lizzy all the more to see that she's very much attracted to Darcy from the start, and really is hurt by his rudeness and apparent pride. And, okay, Keira's my celebrity girl!crush, so yeah. But still. She's a very enjoyably Lizzy, well worth watching.
And Mr. Darcy. Oh, Darcy. There will never be a Dracy like Colin Firth, let's just get that out there, and this one -- Matthew MacFadyen -- is not Colin Firth. But aside from that incontrovertible deficiency -- oh, my. He's certainly got a somethin' somethin' of his own, and he does the smoldering look like nobody's business. I just. *fans self* Yeah. See icon. If nothing else, this movie brings teh hotness. In wonderful, wonderful ways. I squirmed happily in my seat.
BUT. I have one VERY IMPORTANT COMPLAINT to register. Why, oh ye gods WHY, does nobody realize that Pride & Prejudice is a kissing book? It just IS. We are here because we are HOPELESS ROMANTICS and WE WANT TO SEE THEM SNOG, goddamnit. The BBC version gave us a pithy, polite little kiss at the very end. This film? NO KISS. NOT ONE. Well, she kisses his hand. BUT THAT DOESN'T COUNT. There are moments in this film when they stare at each other's lips in a most blatant fashion and Darcy even MOVES IN FOR IT right after his first (rejected) proposal in a way that made my heart flutter in my chest. And then, when love is all confessed, they stare meaningfully at each other's lips...and press their foreheads together. GAH. I'm feeling sexually frustrated FOR them. All this tension mounting, and then no release, people. No release. And the film ends on a decidedly odd note. But anyway.
So yes. It has its faults, but it really is worth seeing. I'll probably buy it when it comes out on DVD. It brings the hotass and indulges my inner romantic, what can I say?
