September 20, 2006

Books Ruin Everything

About four months ago I finally got around to watching the new Pride & Prejudice that was released in 2005. I enjoyed it. The colors and set design were executed and filmed well. I enjoyed the consistency of the chracterization within the Bennet family (the way all of them stifled giggles with their right fingers the way Mr. Bennet did, as well as other very nice touches).

About a month or more ago I finally got around to reading Pride & Prejudice. I enjoyed it a great deal. I probably got a bigger kick out of the arcane language and obsolete social protocols than the story itself. But the fact that I am a guy and I enjoyed it seems to be no small feat from what I've heard.

About two weeks ago I finally got around to watching the new Pride & Prejudice after having read the book. The movie moves way too fast. The whole thing was excruciating for me because I am something of a purist. There were things that happened at the ball that should have happened at a dinner several months later. There were conversations that took place that I thought should be the first thing that the director would put in the script. I kept thinking at regular intervals throughout the movie we totally skipped about seven chapters or I guess that quarter of the book wasn't worth acknowledging in the movie. Sheesh! The book ruined a perfectly good film.

Someone suggested that I shouldn't get around to reading any important book until after I had gotten around to seeing the book-inspired film. I might just do that.

Posted by timf at September 20, 2006 02:18 PM
Comments

Don't do that! What if the movie were very bad and you didn't read the book?
I know what you mean about the new P&P though. However, I do think director conveyed the hopeless situation of the single woman much better in this version (the swing shot).

Posted by: Katherine at September 20, 2006 03:05 PM

Yea, just watch the BBC version... One word description: cheese
I've seen the newest P&P and enjoyed it, its short and to the point. Someday I'll watch the A&E version, I've been told it is most excellent.

Also, FYI - if you get a chance watch BBC's production of Charles Dikens' Bleak House (with Gillian Anderson) do so, it is great! On the other hand, the book is a dreary interminable read.

Posted by: Tom at September 20, 2006 03:24 PM

My friend described the newest version best: "A lot of stuff happened, but none of it seemed to matter." She had neither read the book nor seen any other film versions. As someone who HAS seen other versions and read the book, I found her evaluation very apt and concise. It was a nice film to "look" at, but only fun to watch as an excersize in criticism. Keira Knightly was frightful as Elizabeth (I question her acting ability as a whole anyway, but especially in classic, strong roles like this one...)

I recommend the A&E version. they tend to care more about the actual story and characters than Hollywood at large does. Another A&E favorite (actually, I may like it better than their P&P) is Persuasion. Check it out.

Posted by: jen d at September 20, 2006 04:32 PM

Persuasion is one of my all time favorite movies. It was so well acted and well done...

Posted by: gwen at September 20, 2006 04:46 PM

PS: how come your blog gets to look so cool. geh. not fair. ;-)

I think my letterhead would look pretty sweet at the top of mine...heh heh heh

Posted by: gwen at September 20, 2006 04:47 PM

ok i'm not going to question your masculinity for reading pride and prejudice and watching the movie twice. but i am going to tell you you should probably watch a little UFC to balance things out.

Posted by: justin at September 20, 2006 04:56 PM

OK, from an old lady who knows Jane Austen by heart and has seen all the movies (and their versions) available, here's my critique....the new P&P is OK. Like Jen said, it's fun to look at, but there is absolutely noone who can do Darcy like Colin Firth. It's just not possible. The A&E version is by far the better of the two even though the new one is fun to watch. Of course, Persuasion is my all-time favorite. I love the Admiral and his wife and you just can't beat Ciaran Hind as Captain Wentworth.....he's not beautiful, but he plays the part to the hilt as do all of those wonderful British actors/actresses. Hollywood just doesn't do justice to Jane!!

Posted by: mom at September 20, 2006 07:30 PM

I agree with [your?] mom that Colin Firth IS Mr. Darcy and that hollywood just doesn't do justice to jane. Also, Keira Knightly is slightly annoying in my book, the way she says things just comes off a little funny to me. Don't know why.

Posted by: Beth Martin at September 27, 2006 01:03 AM
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