Does this make me less of a girl? Because I'm not a Jane Austen fiend? Well I liked Emma, and Clueless. But when I first arrived at BYU I realized I was separate from an entire subculture of Mormon girls who own the miniseries and have parties with the sole purpose of watching it. Back then it was on VHS but I guess now people have the DVDs.
I kind of feel like "real" P&P fans don't like this theater version of the movie as much. Am I wrong? That seems to be my impression. But I really like it.
Not a fan of Keira Knightley, at all. BUT,
I am in love with Mr. Bingley's pompadour
and Mr. Darcy's smoldering looks
and Mr. Bennet's kindly dadliness
and I am obsessed with every scene containing Mr. Collins. Too funny.
Favorite line: "She often condescends to drive by my humble abode in her little phaeton and ponies."
I just love the way he talks.
I think I'm going to buy this movie. Every time I've watched it I've been totally entranced. The whole progression of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth just reels me in.
Just thought I'd let you know.
I loved the movie too! The progression of their relationship is great!
ReplyDeleteMrs Darcy, Mrs Darcy, Mrs Darcy. I love that part.
I read Pride and Prejudice in high school - but don't think I understood it much.
ReplyDeleteThen I re-read it a few years ago - but I'm also not sure why the book garners such loyalty.
I've seen the movie, but not the mini-series.
As with many things British, I am often at a loss to really "get it" because the accents get in the way of my comprehension.
I'm with you Eliza. I have never been able to really get into Jane Austen's books. I like the movies though. I liked Emma and the Mini Series. Although, when I watch them I tend to turn the volume on the t.v. up really, really loud in an effort to understand the accent's better.
ReplyDeleteI usually just lurk here, but I had to comment. I'm definitely a P&P and Austen fanatic (have read all the books and watched all the movies multiple times) all around and I really liked this version. I like the characters/actors and scenery (especially the Bennett's house) so much more than the BBC version. What I really want is the BBC length and depth with this versions actors and scenery.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I especially love that they show Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy as a married couple - there is something so satisfying about it.
I say buy it - I've got it on my iPod and watch it all the time!
Off topic, but I was able to read, The Female Brain by Louann Brizendine this weekend and I recommend it.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the book (and all Jane Austen's books - Eliza you should try Persuasion, it's very different from her other stuff, more tongue-in-cheek.) However, I don't really understand the obsession with the miniseries, except of course with Colin Firth, because who WOULDN'T be obsessed with him??? Whoa.
ReplyDeleteUnlike many other fans of the book, I do like the 2005 movie - it's just so beautiful. And while I agree with you about Keira Knightly (um why does she do that thing where she makes her lips all thin when she laughs? I find it strange), I think it really captures the themes of the book. And you're right, Mr. Collins is hilarious in that cover-your-eyes-and-cringe kind of way. Though I think Elizabeth could have been better developed.
I think I, and others, just like the book because all of the characters are so fatally flawed, and yet they often find happiness anyway.
Ok I'll stop going on about it now.
Okay, the miniseries is nice, mostly because I want to actually EAT Colin Firsth he's so yummy, but the movie version was far easier to watch I thought.
ReplyDeleteYou know what you MUST take the time to see, now that you like the movie version?? Bride and Predjudice!! Yes, they did a Bollywood version and it is hysterical. My favorite part is that they actor that plays Sayid on Lost is Mr. Bennet and you get to see him dance like an Indian maniac - that alone is worth the price of a rental!!!
I must admit I love the book and the miniseries. And someone gave me a copy of the Keira Knightly version at least a month ago and I haven't even unwrapped it yet, so you're welcome to have it if you haven't purchased it yet. I just can't bring myself to see her in the role of such an upstanding girl as Elizabeth Bennett.
ReplyDeleteI was actually surprised to read that you aren't a huge Jane Austen fan. Like you, when I got to college and found that whole new subculture, I felt totally like an outsider. I tried to read Emma a couple months ago for Book Club and I just struggled. I do want to read some of her stuff...sometime. I have enjoyed the movies I've seen, both versions of Pride and Prejudice, although admittedly I fell asleep through the 2005 version (not my fault, it was really late!). I need to watch it again.
ReplyDeleteI have quite a few Jane Austen thoughts, but instead, I will comment that I love that you make a "You've Got Mail" reference here!
ReplyDeleteSo how come everyone doesn't like Keira Knightly? I don't really have feelings one way or another about her. Am I missing something? I think she dates Mr. Bingley in real life.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I loved her dad in the movie.
I know, I can't believe I'm not a JA fan either, or that I've never read any of it. I was an English major, after all.
ReplyDeleteI kind of feel like Maud Hart Lovelace is my Jane Austen. Maybe if my mom and sisters had been into JA I would be too.
I really just think Keira Knightley is annoying. Alex described it somewhat. Maybe it's the way she talks. Isn't that awful of me? I liked her fine when I saw Bend It like Beckham (only a little obnoxious in that one), but I just haven't been able to stand her since I heard the line "Do you like pain? Try wearing a corset." I know, it's totally not even her fault that she had to say that.
Despite that, "I love, I love, I love" her version of P&P. So Holly, I will totally take you up on your offer.
Ashley, I'm glad you appreciated. I also thought about tossing in something about how I get lost in the language. Because I really, actually do, not in a good way.
Reva I remember when Bride and Prejudice came out. I didn't know Naveen Andrews was in it. Now that he's "made it big" I guess I really will have to see it!
The Female Brain, never heard of it but I will check it out.
By the way, something I always find amusing is that my SIL, who incidentally does not like to read anything _but_ Pride and Prejudice, didn't like this version mainly because people were kind of dirty and greasy looking.
ReplyDeleteI love what everybody loves about Jane Austen--the stories, about normal people who lead boring lives but fall fabulously in love, timeless, funny, etc.--I just haven't been able to get past the wordy prose, yet.
I'm not sure where I got my love of Jane Austin, but I love the books and most of the movies. I like the underdog coming out on top theme that she has going on.
ReplyDeleteI am a true fan of the mini-series version of P&P but I really enjoyed the realistic or (greasy and dirty) look of the new one. I liked that everything was not perfect! I bought the movie too!
I really liked the new version. I liked the Mini-series because I watched it while I was on bedrest and it was a great time-filler. I switched between that and Alias. It was great.
ReplyDeleteI don't particularly like reading Austen. I don't fully appreciate that time period in literature, but I did like Persuasion. My Eng 252 class at BYU was entirely taught around that book. It was great. So I recommend you give it a try.
Keira Knightley has the body of a 16 year old boy. There's something wrong with that, so I find her suspect.
ReplyDeletei love this version. love it. i want to be friends with mr. bingley and his pompadour.
ReplyDeletealso, mr. collins is in "wives and daughters" which i also highly recommend.
I know what to post about on my blog now to get more comments.
ReplyDeleteI myself feel like a bit of an outcast. Never seen P&P, never had the desire, call me too pop culture but honestly that time period bores me to death. Lee's mom is obsessed with P&P and has the 6 hour version, everytime we are there she tries to make us watch it, so to even the score they bought us the Kiera Knighly version, and we watched it, and it was ok, it left me wanting nothing more. I don't read Jane Austen, Am I normal? Eliza I am comforted by the fact that you are not obsessed, stay strong.
ReplyDelete