This story is, plain and simple, NOT a manly man, John Wayne lover, big car, beef eating MANLY story. This is a story written for women.
But I LIKED this incarnation. I know... heresy. My manly man friends are spitting all over their computer screens, saying “I knew Will wasn’t quite straight... it is the living with all those sisters!”
And frankly, maybe that is WHY I like the film so much... but in a different way than that comment would mean!
See, I understand this story. I particularly identify with certain of the male members of the plot. Mr. Bennett, for instance. I know EXACTLY how he feels. Which makes his reactions to the antics of his wife and daughters all the more amusing. And I understand why he likes Lizzie and Jane, the two most sensible seeming of the bunch.
Interesting side note on the plot... Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Bennett are never referred to by any other names, not even by each other. Which has led some people to speculate that Mr. Bennett is more along the lines of Mr. Wickham than some would think... think about it!
Anyway... I also identify with the two men, Bingley and Darcy... I know how they feel. Their characters are seen through the eyes of the women... but they ARE realized as men. When Lizzie finally confronts Darcy, and he explains his actions and all, you realize just how GOOD a man he is, and how normal. If someone were to take these same characters and show the story from the man’s point of view, the characters would not need to change. They are fully realized.
So... I do like the story. I always thought that I had a problem with it, but having seen this film, I realize that I really just didn’t like the fact that it was a LONG read (I did NOT read the book) or a LONG time to watch! It is a smart, funny, intelligent romance story. So while I love violent action comedys and drama’s, I do like this sort of thing too.
Plus, I am a sucker for a good movie!
This film is simply charming, and VERY good. It is gorgeous to look at, both in terms of production values, with all the costumes and set dressing, and in terms of the vistas and out door shots, which are breathtaking, and in terms of certain actresses, who are luminous. The cinematography is first rate, and well done. It has a sumptuous look, that is both beautiful and real. It is willing to get dirty, but even the dirt is beautiful to look at!
The way that the camera is used, to service the plot, is spectacular. Austen has many conversations that are given throughout the book (and contained in the 6 hour version). Here, long tracking shots go through the ball, or other events, and hit on the part of the conversation that you need to hear, and then move on to the next thing. It enables you to get the feeling of the conversation, and of Austen’s world, but economizes the screen-time.
And a word about the script. It is wonderful. Every character is well defined, all are given smart, interesting dialogue (that fits their characters) and it is just a very good screenplay. Word is out that Emma Thompson did an uncredited, unpaid rewrite... which would explain some of why it is so good!
The cast is wonderful; Kiera Knightley, who many said was just a pretty thing who plays herself, proves that she can indeed act. And the film uses her beauty, and that winsome, tomboyish, fun-loving side of her personality to great effect. She is wonderful. If you wonder about how good she is, check out Domino sometime... totally different character, and just as well played.
The rest of the cast is superb as well. Donald Sutherland is great as the father (though I have to admit that what I have seen of the 6 hour version, I liked the father better there). The mother is wonderfully played by Brenda Blethyn. And Darcy and Bingley are well represented, both coming across as real men, not just plot devices. Rosamond Pike, who plays Jane, is wonderful as well. And the rest of the girls are appropriately silly, and the whole cast is just perfect.
This movie is well worth seeing, even if you are a guy. It is funny, moving, and yes, romantic. But it is an intelligent romance, not a brainless romance. It is about real (seeming) people in real situations, dealing with going from being intrigued by one another, to hating each other, to realizing that they really do love each other.
So guys, be men. Go see it. Take your significant other. You will enjoy the movie. And if you are single... the ratio in the theater is pretty good... I think I was one of 5 men in the screening, which was relatively well attended for an afternoon. For the married or involved ones... your wife will love it, you will enjoy it, and I guarantee that you will score many points!
Plus, for both single and involved men... there is Keira:)
5 comments:
“I knew Will wasn’t quite straight... it is the living with all those sisters!”
No, I'm thinking, "Boy, Will must be twitterpated!" :)
The one good thing about the BBC version is that, in its VHS form, it is broken into 50 minute segments. I don't know how much I have seen of it and I'm sure I haven't seen the whole thing in order but with enough Mr. Bennet, I could make it through about 50 minutes if I had nothing better to do and my sisters had commandered the tv.
:D Actually, Amy's first reaction when I told her I wanted to see Pride and Prejudice was... "And you thought *I* was nuts to like all those romantic comedy's! Isn't that like 20 hours long?"
She is still skeptical.
I really did like it... frankly, it has a better, funnier story than most of the movies out there. You can do ALOT worse, and I would say it is hard to do better!
I was thinking, "What, another remake so soon?" and was going to skip it. You make me want to see it, though. Thanks. I hope my single sons will agree to see it with me. I don't do movies alone. I do think this one will not suffer much if I have to wait for the CD version, though.
I'm still skipping it. You absolutely cannot top the BBC version for anything. Colin F. & Jennifer E. could not have played the characters better. And I sincerely doubt the ability of Keira Knightly. I haven't cared for her since Arthur (which was despicably weak.)
Jonathan says this attitude describes the title of said movie very well.
I'm not sure what to say. I'm speechless.
Post a Comment