[m i a o w] the cat

Robert asked how I liked the latest film version of Pride and Prejudice. And, as I am lately feeling I have either nothing or too much to blog about (and thus blog nothing), I thought I would answer here. I am a big fan of the Ehle/Firth BBC version, but, when I went to the cinema last weekend, I very much wished I could erase it from my mind, because I couldn’t help making comparisons all the way through.

As soon as it had run for ten minutes I began to get anxious about how on earth they were going to fit everything into 90 minutes. It was simple. They didn’t. I think I would have appreciated the latest P&P effort much more if I wasn’t so familiar with the BBC version. All the characters were perfectly cast (although I did prefer Julia Sawalha as Lydia - but then I prefer her over most people). There was a bit more dirt and domesticity, and I liked the Charlotte Lucas character better in this version.

Matthew McFayden was an acceptable Darcy i.e. generally unattractive at the beginning when he’s supposed to be an arrogant pain, and then morphing into a bit of smouldering action as time passes and he cannot resist Elizabeth Bennet. Obviously there was no ‘wet white shirt’ scene and there was a little less chemistry in between the leads - but that might have been down to the time restrictions of cinema (as opposed to the seven part series, or whatever it was, which allowed a lot more time to build the URST).

The story in general didn’t have any gaping holes as far as tying everything together went (although it’s been a long time since I read the book). There were a few too many gratuitous panorama shots - e.g. where she’s standing on a precipice looking gorgeous and windswept while doing nothing in particular - but hey, they had to put some scenery porn in there.

It appeared to rain every day.

I reckon (on the Margaret & David scale) I give it three and a half stars, and I would have given it more, but…well, you know the but.

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COMMENTS / 4 COMMENTS

Sooooo… is it worth going to see, do you think? I’m curious. I’m a huge fan of the Ehle/Firth production. But now that you’ve said there’s no “wet white shirt” in this one… Meh. No one can do Darcy like Colin Firth. *dribble*

Sussy typed this on Oct 24 05 at 2:51 pm

I’m with you in the *dribble*
It’s kind of worth going to see, because it’s an interesting contrast, but I like the BBC one better. That’s my two cents

b:p typed this on Oct 24 05 at 8:49 pm

Well, I seens it on the weekend. I quite liked it, or rather, WOULD have quite liked it if I wasn’t constantly comparing it to our favourite production. *LOL* It had it’s merits. Some parts I liked better than the BBC production, some parts I HATED. Overall, I’m glad I went to see it - though I could totally see what you meant about all the panoramics with Lizzie. Overdone. Way overdone.

Sussy typed this on Oct 31 05 at 10:25 am

I’m off to see it tomorrow. Will let you know what i think.
By the way, i have shifted blogs (again)..
http://emilydickinsonsattic.blogspot.com Should be up in a few days

robert typed this on Nov 01 05 at 6:28 pm

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