Jane Austen Book Discussion: Pride & Prejudice
christinmk z5b eastern WA
15 years ago
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ccrdmrbks
15 years agochristinmk z5b eastern WA
15 years agoRelated Discussions
Late Viewing of Pride and Prejudice
Comments (25)I enjoyed this newest version very much because I felt that all of the characters were more sympathetically portrayed. Although I love the Firth/Ehle epic for its faithfulness to the text, parts of it crawled (reading letters), made me cringe (Darcy's face in the mirror), and served up caricatures (Miss Bingley, Mr. Collins, Mary, and Mrs. Bennet in particular -- what's not to dislike?) The country ballroom scene was delightful with its vigorous dancing and multi-generational costuming -- I have no idea if the dances were accurate, but it certainly conveyed the provincial atmosphere that Darcy found distasteful and Bingley, refreshing. Small details explained characters' foibles like Mrs Bennet's vulgarity (alcohol) and Mr Bennet's scholarly passivity (dragonfly on pin). I felt sorry for Mary, who would have gladly accepted Mr Collins (watch her face in the aftermath of his proposal to Lizzie). Tom Hollander's portrayal was touching -- Mr Collins so earnestly wanted to do the right thing(s) but was undone by frigidity, not smarminess. Jennifer Ehle's Elizabeth Bennet was dutifully portrayed, but she never struck me as more than mildly witty and quite buxom. In contrast, Keira Knightley's performance was much livelier and passionate. The same comparison could be made between the actors playing Darcy -- except for the buxom part. The only character I did not like was Charlotte -- what a wimp! The pragmatic portrayal in the E/F version was much better. I think that the movie would have been better w/o the US ending (very un-Austen), a panoramic shot showing the pair driving up to Pemberley would have been better. I also wish that a director would allow Darcy to "express himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do" -- there's the place for a passionate kiss....See MoreJane Austen Festival 2012
Comments (35)Sewing is very popular in Australia. Plenty of places to buy machines, fabrics and general haberdashery. I don't sew now but used to make clothes for my daughter, mainly simple sleeveless shifts which were from an easy pattern and could be adapted to use small remnants which were sold cheaply. It is now so reasonable to buy children's clothes from China that it isn't worth the bother! I made a couple of Regency items for our 150th Anniversary of settlement in Western Australia but cheated by remodelling a Laura Ashley print long dress and cut up another short one for a spenser. A straw sunhat cut and resewn at the back to a bonnet shape with long ribbons completed the outfit! I was so lucky in Bath getting to stay in a room in the Royal Crescent and being shown over the house with its curved sitting room. I felt like a Heyer heroine!...See MoreJane Austen, where should I start?
Comments (7)I guess this shows I am in the minority! I found Mansfield Park the most interesting of Austen books with a much smaller cast of characters to keep track of and actually more interesting & less frivolous characters. Plus I thought Fanny was the nicest of all Austen's 'heroines' and had the least expectations of life. Pat...See MoreAusten inspired books- for or against? like or dislike?
Comments (18)Yet another P&P spin-off will be hitting UK TV screens this Autumn with a new series Lost in Austen. The story line appears to be . . . our modern day heroine is a big JA fan and finds herself able to go back into the world of P&P. But will her knowledge of the outcome of the story alter what takes place in the world she has entered? Also look out for yet another TV adaptation of Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Many of the outdoor rural scenes were shot in my area. They wanted a realistic 'backwards' landscape. :-) Pity I didn't know it was happening, maybe I could have got a part as an extra playing 'an aged crone' or 'third hag'. Another Dickens series is coming up, this time Little Dorrit. Last year Bleak House was beautifully produced. Some of you may have seen it....See Moreannpan
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15 years agochristinmk z5b eastern WA
15 years agoccrdmrbks
15 years agoccrdmrbks
15 years agochristinmk z5b eastern WA
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